Four Graduates from the FHHS Class of 2016 Among National Merit Scholarship Winners

Posted on 09/14/2016

Graduating high school becomes an even more exciting life event when students not only receive their diploma, but also the news of winning a prestigious scholarship. Four of Francis Howell High School’s (FHHS) graduating seniors, Grant Morey, Blake Felt, Elise Kaminski and Sean Sebacher, had the opportunity to celebrate twice, as they were among 800 students from across the country to win scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

Grant Morey is now attending the University of Tulsa. During his time at FHHS, he not only demonstrated hard work in his classes, but also great effort in school engagement. As senior class president, he was one of only two students of the 458 FHHS seniors to graduate with an impressive GPA of 4.86.

David Wedlock, FHHS principal, is proud of Morey’s achievements and described him as a delightful student. “He’s a wonderfully thoughtful person with a keen interest in learning and sharing positive experiences with his classmates,” Wedlock said. “We are so proud of Grant’s commitment to excellence and his accomplishments. He serves as a wonderful inspiration to all of us of what can be accomplished through consistent hard work, resilience, and confidence in the ability to be successful.”

Blake Felt also graduated with a GPA of 4.86, the highest GPA in the class of 2016. He was a member of the National Honor Society, the Mu Alpha Theta math club, and part of the Project Lead the Way technology student organization. He played in the Honors Jazz Band for four years and completed a total of five Advanced Placement (AP) courses during his senior year.

“Blake is a phenomenal musician who possesses the drive and determination to create wonderful performances,” Wedlock said. “These talents also translated into the classroom where his outstanding intelligence and work ethic produced similar results.”

Another student who received funds based on National Merit scores is Elise Kaminski, who also graduated from FHHS this year. Kaminski scored a remarkable 36 on the ACT and held a 4.81 GPA.

Wedlock said that through her determination and hard work, Kaminski has been an inspiration not only to her fellow students, but to everyone at FHHS. “Elise possesses an inspiring and rare combination of academic excellence and intellectual courage,” Wedlock said. “She is continually willing to try new things, imagine what might be true, and think from diverse perspectives in pursuit of the best possible academic experiences.”

Sean Sebacher was a member of the National Honor Society, the World Language Club, Scholar Quiz and also played ping pong. On the end of the year exam, he achieved the highest possible score. His senior year project explored adaptive shelving systems that would allow people in wheelchairs greater accessibility and flexibility in storing items in their homes.

“Sean demonstrates tremendous abilities to draw connections among things that may not seem to have any relationship,” Wedlock said. “This aptitude is evident in a variety of contexts, but in one example, Sean’s innate interest in geography led him to purse completion of a self-paced advanced placement geography course and exam in which high school students can demonstrate knowledge at a college equivalence level.”

All four FHHS students earned the National AP Scholar distinction, which is given to students who received an average score of at least 4 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more these exams.

FHSD is proud of these outstanding students congratulates them on this wonderful recognition.

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