MABELVALE, Ark.- A local middle school student is being recognized with a national award for outstanding achievement in math. 

Mabelvale Middle School student Zyna Wright received the National 180 Award, a prestigious honor only 16 students in the country achieve. 

Her story is inspiring because she made huge progress overcoming obstacles inside and outside of the classroom to significantly increase her math scores.

“I’m happy that I did it,” Wright says. “If it weren’t for Mr. Lanford, I wouldn’t have the chance to do it, because he helped me a lot.”

Zyna was honored with a ceremony Friday and a cash prize for her achievement.