Palmetto High graduate and Pinecrest resident Nicole Graham was named a Woodrow Wilson Research Fellow by Johns Hopkins University, where she will enroll this fall.

Graham will receive a $10,000 stipend, which will be applied to the research she undertakes during her four years at the school.

"I'm pretty sure I'll use it for the social sciences," said Graham, "given that Johns Hopkins already has such a wealth of medical sciences available and it is already best-known for the work done in those areas. Ideally, I'd like to use it for politics or to create a 'think tank' to address current events in Washington, D.C."

The fellowship search was part of the application for the 3,500 students that sought admission and all were required to submit an essay. Johns Hopkins officials then narrowed the field and sent the research form to about 700 applicants.

"I found out about the grant when I got my acceptance letter," said Graham. "They sent me another letter telling me I was one of 20 selected for the award."

The Krieger School for the Arts and Sciences at Johns Hopkins supervises the process and awards the grants. The money can be used for a variety of study-related projects, including equipment, travel and other services necessary to complete research. Fellows will meet regularly to discuss results of their studies during their time at the university.

Graham had a lot to recommend her for the fellowship program stemming from her years at Palmetto. As the school's Silver Knight social sciences nominee, she was very active in school and in the community.

She participated in the school's debate program and reached the quarterfinals at a majority of tournaments during her junior and senior years. She was a member of the mock trial team, vice president of the school's National Honor Society chapter, entertainment editor for the school paper, a member of Phi Beta Chi, the English Honor Society, Amnesty International and the Honor Code Committee.

She won several awards, including outstanding social sciences student in her junior year and the Ralph Perry memorial award for outstanding achievement in forensics as a sophomore.

Her accomplishments on the school's mock trial team gained her the selection as best lawyer in the county and her junior year's legal team was runner-up in the county competition.

But, of all her accomplishments, Graham's most impressive work was her effort in the community as a member of the National Honor Society. As vice president, she says she was able to advocate a more active organization.

"It shouldn't be called a service club if you really don't do any service," she said. "I felt like we should get more involved in the community."

During her tenure, Graham continued the book drive, which this year collected 150 books; set up a program for members to read to Palmetto Elementary students; thought up "theme months" that target problems such as cancer; and convinced local stores to donate fruit baskets during the holidays.

Graham lives with her parents -- Cathi, a former teacher and second-year law student, and Michael, a surgeon -- and also attended Palmetto Elementary and Palmetto Middle schools.

Graham, who says she'd like to major in political science and minor in biochemistry, plans on maintaining her busy schedule when she enrolls at Johns Hopkins this fall.

"I didn't know that I wanted to go there until I got in," she said, "but when I got in, I knew it's where I wanted to be. I can't wait to get started."