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.