OVERVIEW
Meiya is an exceptional student, steward, athlete, and artist. Meiya competes and excels in academia, the arts, stewardship/service, and athletics. She has one many awards in each of these disciplines. This website details those achievements and gives an intimate glimpse into the life and works of Meiya Rollins.
MID-SOUTH SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS
Honorable Mention EmpowerHer
Silver Key Reflection of Me
Golden Key Colorful Thoughts
Golden Key Two-Faced
Sculpture Award Two-Faced (cash Prize)
Visualizing the Dream
Throughout FedExForum, basketballs painted by 30 high school artists are displayed to reflect their individual interpretations of how they plan to continue building on Dr. King's legacy, both as individuals and in their communities.
Meiya spent the previous week painting basketballs with former Grizzlies Tony Allen and her CAM Cohorts. On King Day she visited the NCRM, had a meet-n-greet with current Grizzlie Desmond Bane, posed with her art at the Forum, found herself blasted on the Jumbotron in a featured piece, and after the game-winning shot, Meiya was invited to center court for a photo with other Contemporary Arts Memphis Fellows.
Meiya Combining Her Passions!
EmpowerHer
The 'EmpowerHer' Triptych
This piece is making the rounds in Memphis. from the Brooks Museum to the new CAM Facility, Arlington High School, and Benjamin L. Hook's Central Library where it was awarded an Honorable Mention and a $50 cash prize in the 2024 Teen Arts Fest on November 16th, 2024.
The piece was inspired by Meiya's two-year journey to establish the EmpowerHer Project.
Meiya founded EmpowerHer to supply free hygiene products to female students at Arlington High School.
St. Jude
Annual Arlington Color Run
Meiya founded the Annual Arlington Color Run to raise money for St. Jude, with the inaugural event taking place in May 2024. It was such a success that both the citizens and the town of Arlington have requested its return every May!
Inspired by Danny Thomas' vision, Meiya didn’t aim to raise a large sum from a few donors, but rather to raise a lot from many. That’s how you bring a community together—especially for such an important cause! Learn more.
Meiya was a finalist in the 2024 Arts in the Airport competition where this homage to St. Jude is currently displayed. View all of the finalist's works here: Artis in the Airport
Meiya's painting Danny's Dream has been hanging in the Memphis International Airport for the past year and she will soon have a new piece there! Danny's Dream is being donated to St. Jude once it comes down from the airport walls.
2025
Meiya is a finalist in the 2025 Arts in the Airport competition, and we'll have updates soon. But until then, here is a video featuring an interview with Meiya during last year's competition.
Monday, November 4, 2024
Meiya will receive the highest honor, Best of Show, from the Briarcrest Regional Art Contest & Exhibition (BRACE). Her award-winning piece, Colorful Thoughts, a charcoal and chalk portrait, captures both the beauty of diversity and the tension of unrecognized ideas within her community.
In her work, a blue girl stands in a red space, yearning for a world where everything blends into purple—a reflection of her wish for harmony and inclusion. For this compelling expression, Meiya was awarded a $250 cash prize.
All of the 2024 Brace Award Winners can be found here: 2024 Brace Winners
BEST IN SHOW - Colorful Thoughts
2024-2025 | Awards
3rd Place Sculpture Division II & 5th Place Creative Writing Division II
Jefferson Book Award
Meiya wins so many awards even her school can't keep up. The Jefferson Award was sent to her from the University of Virginia last spring and has been sitting in the main office of AHS until someone noticed it recently.
Ole Miss Writing Competition 1st Place!
Meiya won First Place in the Sixteenth Annual University of Mississippi Writing Competition for her essay 'The Ultimate Symbol of Femininity: The Cat' and will soon be featured in Celebrations Magazine!
Poetry Publishing
Meiya's poem, 'The Artist's Process,' was included in Appelly Publishing's latest anthology: the 2024 Rising Stars Collection.
both works can be found here
Meiya was Accepted into the TN Governor's for the Arts program
TN Governor's School for the Arts
and
TN Governor's for the Humanities program.
TN Governor's School for the Humanities
and
chosen for a CAM, Contemporary Arts Memphis, Summer Fellowship Program.
Meiya was honored to be accepted into all of these amazing programs but could not be more happy with the decision she made to become a CAM fellow! Plus she's all over their insta!
Current Projects
St. Jude Color Run
Meiya founded the Annual Arlington Color Run, an event so beloved by the community that it has been requested to continue as often as possible! Residents had such a great time, that they couldn’t wait a full year and asked Meiya to organize it again as soon as possible.
The EmpowerHer Hygiene Project
In partnership with Sister Supply and Arlington High School administrators, Meiya has fulfilled her promise to the young women in her community: they will never again be without the feminine hygiene products they need.
Sports
USA Swimming
Meiya has been swimming competitively since 2017 and has been swimming for the Memphis Thunder Aquatic Club since 2018. She has a NCSA profile where you can view a competition video, see stats, and learn more. Recruiters must log in to connect. Use the USA Swimming link to search by name and view Meiya's times.
(Video Available)
Arlington High School Swim Team
Meiya placed in the Shelby County Championships in a total of six events as a varsity team swimmer. The events and positions are as follows: 100 IM (7th), 200 IM (6th), 100 IM (8th), 50 Back (10th). 100 IM (7th), and 50 Back (8th).
Arlington High School Track & Field
In her debut season in March 2024, Meiya advanced to the County Championships taking 1st place in the 3200 M and 3rd place in the 1600 M.
Arlington High School XC
Meiya's initial XC season began in the late summer of 2023. Unfortunately, she suffered a stress fracture during her fourth competition, yet was still able to finish 37th in the 5000 Meter with a time of 21:33:60. Meiya trained all summer running 40 miles a week to prepare for the 2024 season only to suffer another stress reaction at the start of the season. Meiya was unable to participate for the entire season.
Shelby County Youth Sports Arlington Track Team
This is Meiya's first experience with Track & Field. She does plan to join the Arlington High School Track Team in 2024. Meiya has been running the 3000m, the 1500m, and the 800m. She has placed 1st in every race this season as of 04-20-2023. On 05/06/2023, Meiya broke the Shelby County record for the 3000 Meter Run! The time to beat is now 12:24:61. Meiya also beat the record for the 1500-meter run and the new time to beat is now 5:44.34.
Meiya placed first in the 2023 Shelby County Grand Championship for the 3000, 1500, and 800-meter runs!
The Arts
Arts in the Airport
(2024-2025)
As a finalist in the Memphis Arts in the Airport annual competition, her work is on display along with the other finalists for an entire year.
Shelby County Board of Commissioners
(2024)
The Shelby County Commission recognized Meiya for completing the Contemporary Arts Memphis Summer Fellowship, recognizing her dedication, talent, and artistic contributions to the community.
Teen Arts Fest
(2024)
Meiya was awarded an honorable mention for EmpowerHer in the Memphis Teen Arts Fest.
Briarcrest Regional Art Contest & Exhibition
(2024)
Meiya was honored with the Best in Show Award for Colorful Thoughts in the Briarcrest Regional Art Contest & Exhibition.
Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards
(2024)
Meiya was honored with a Drawing & Illustration Silver Key Award for Think Twice, and a Photography Honorable Mention for Open to View at the Brooks Museum of Art in Memphis, TN
16th Annual West Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition
Meiya secured her first gallery showing, outside of her high school, which featured two artworks at the West Tennessee Regional Art Center on display from 01/16/24-02/26/2024.
Arlington High School Annual Art Show 2023
In 2023, at the AHS Annual Art Show, Meiya sold her first work of art. The portrait of David Bowie can be found here:
Agricenter International Ag Day Student Art Contest 2023
Meiya won 3rd Place for a colored pencil drawing reflecting the theme "Agriculture as Part of Your Life." The award included a luncheon, a $25 cash prize, a Certificate of Recognition from the Mayor of Shelby County, a Certificate of Achievement from Agricenter International Education and the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, and a Certificate of Recognition from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
Independent Study & Arlington High School
Meiya has been sculpting, drawing, painting, baking, decorating, and creating digital works of art since the age of two years old. Many of her works are displayed in a digital gallery on this site.
Chorus
(Arlington Middle and Arlington High)
Meiya was enrolled in Chorus from 6th to 9th grade and enjoyed learning her voice and studying music theory. After her freshman year, she felt as though she had taken her vocal training as far as she was interested in and enrolled in fine art.
Memphis College of Art
In the summer of 2019, Meiya completed the Animations Concepts summer course.
The Orpheum - Broadway Bootcamp
Meiya attended boot camp in the summers of 2018 and 2019. She appears waving to us in the First Day Scenes video and gives some delightful performances in both showcases.
Clubs & Societies
Mu Alpha Theta
(2024 to Present)
Meiya was elected into the National High School and Two Year College Mathematics Honor Society on 11-13-24.
National Arts Honors Society
(2023 to Present)
Meiya helps her community through the arts by engaging in activities like painting holiday scenes on local business windows and making decorative blankets for the homeless shelter.
National Honors Society
(2023 to Present)
Meiya volunteers at local events to ensure the success of community activities.
National English Honors Society
(2023 to Present)
Vice-President
Meiya participates in writing competitions and helps organize special events like local book drives.
St. Jude Leadership Society
(2023 to Present)
Peer Advisor
Meiya raised over $2,500 for St. Jude Children's Hospital last year via art commissions, a game of Ladderball, and the Rhotundra Run (video and more here).
Model UN
(2022 to Present)
Meiya repeatedly travels to UN Conferences for participation. She recently visited the State Capitol for a Youth in Government conference where she co-authored a bill to pay off student debt for foster care case workers.
YMCA YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT TRI-STAR CONFERENCE
Collegiate Academy
(2022 to Present)
Meiya is currently a member of this prestigious club that requires rigorous coursework and stewardship to maintain membership.
Student Council
(2022 to Present)
Meiya is active in her student government and focuses on human rights and equity in policy.
NATIONAL CONVENTION / WEST TN LEADERSHIP
Active Minds
(2022 to Present)
Meiya is active in supporting and advocating for the mental health of her peers and others.
Latin Club
(2022 to Present)
Meiya is a Latin scholar who continuously works to improve her understanding of linguistics.
Art Club
Junior Representative
(2022 to Present)
Meiya has been a member of the Art Club since 6th Grade, but she put her classroom time into Chourus for the last four years. She enrolled in Art 1 as a sophomore and is being promoted to Art III as a junior (skipping Art II). In 2023, at the AHS Annual Art Show, Meiya sold her first work of art. The portrait of David Bowie can be found here:
Advocates for Human Rights
(2021 to Present)
Media Committee, Board Member
Meiya has been the Head of Media since joining in 2021.
National Beta Club
(2021 to Present)
Historian
Meiya currently serves as the historian and has attended Statewide Conventions.
Achievements
High School
National BETA State Convention Third Place Sculpture Division II 2024-2025.
National BETA State Convention Fifth Place Creative Writing Division II 2024-2025.
AP Scholar with Distinction (the highest honor that can be achieved among Advanced Placement students) awarded on September 19th, 2024.
Meiya raised $6,000 for St. Jude as a St. Jude Leadership Society member and founded the Annual Arlington Color Run.
'Outstanding Statesperson' at the 2024 Tennessee YMCA Youth in Government conference at the State Capital in Nashville, TN in April of 2024.
First Place in the Sixteenth Annual University of Mississippi Writing Competition for Meiya's essay 'The Ultimate Symbol of Femininity: The Cat' and will soon be featured in Celebrations Magazine!
Drawing & Illustration Silver Key Award for Think Twice, and a Photography Honorable Mention for Open to View in the 2024 Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards.
Meiya secured her first gallery showing, outside of her high school, which featured two artworks in the 16th Annual West Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition displayed from 01/16/24-02/26/2024.
2023 YMCA Sponsored Model UN Competition in Murfreesboro TN in November 2023.
West TN Leadership Conference at Bellevue Baptist Church in October 2023.
St. Jude Leadership Society Conference in Memphis, TN where Meiya met St. Jude executives in July of 2023.
Awareness Award for a talk Meiya gave on What it Means to be a Leader from the St. Jude Leadership Society in 2023.
Meiya raised $2,511 for St. Jude as a member of the St. Jude Leadership Society in 2023.
Student Council Leadership Day at the Capitol in Nashville, TN April 2023.
Meiya sold her first work of art at the Arlington High School Annual Art Show in 2023.
Meiya won 3rd Place in the Agricenter International Ag Day Student Art Contest of 2023.
National Beta Club Conference in Nashville, TN in November of 2022.
2022 YMCA-sponsored Model UN Competition in Murfreesboro, TN in November of 2022.
West TN Leadership Conference in October of 2022.
Meiya traveled with her history teacher, Mr.Jefferey Holloway, to France, Italy, and Switzerland in June of 2022.
Middle School
Meiya graduated as the Salutatorian of Arlington Middle School in 2021.
Received a letter from the White House dated March 15th, 2021 congratulating her on receiving
the 2021 President's Education Award.
Meiya was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society on March 13th, 2020.
Perfect Attendance every year in Middle School.
Meiya entered the Duke TIP program and took her first ACT exam during 7th grade in 2020.
Received the Highest Grade Point Average in 6th Grade Enriched Language Arts Award in 2019.
Meiya received the Highest Grade Point Average in 6th Grade Science Award in 2019.
Stewardship, Internship, Service & Activism
TN Senate Race
(2024)
Meiya served as an intern for the Gloria Johnson campaign and canvassed the Memphis area on her behalf.
ACLU
(2023 to Present)
Meiya regularly engages with members through text messaging campaigns.
Town of Arlington Christmas Tree Lighting
(2023)
Meiya picked up trash and made sure the trash cans were being emptied.
AES Tiger Fest
(2023)
Meiya supervised crafts for the children.
St. Jude Marathon
(2023)
Meiya attended with the Student Council and NHS to support the
athletes
AHS Track or Treat
(2023)
Meiya passed out candy to the children.
River Arts Fest Memphis
Meiya helped children create various types of art.
Active Minds Health Fair
(2023)
Meiya assisted staff and mental health professionals in the setup and
teardown of event booths.
Best Buddies Valentines
(2023)
Meiya donated teddy bears to special needs children.
AHS Freshman Orientation
(2022)
Meiya helped transfer students understand the inner workings of
Arlington High School and gave tours of the school grounds.
Arlington High School Football Game
(2022)
Meiya collected donations for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Best Buddies Secret Santa
(2022)
Meiya donated toys to special needs children.
Shelby County Middle School Swim Meets
(2022)
Meiya performed as a runner and a timer at swim meets.
Zombie Prom
(2022)
Meiya participated as a member of the set’s paint crew.
Memphis Police Department Prom Closet
(2022)
I donated dresses so that other Shelby County Teenagers could attend
their prom.
Town of Arlington 'Christmas on the Square'
(2019)
Meiya set up and supervised activities for young children.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park Annual Easter Egg Hunt
(2018)
Meiya set up the egg hunt and supervised the event.
Activism
Meiya was proud to attend the George Floyd Protests led by Devante Williams of Memphis in the spring of 2020.
Meiya continues to work for equity and equality.