Posted on 10/27/2016
A
total of 19 Francis Howell School District (FHSD) students have been
recognized for their academic achievement by being named National Merit
Commended Scholars and National Merit Semi-Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation
(NMSC). NMSC announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists
during their annual event in September, and these high achievers now
have the opportunity to move on in the competition for a chance to
receive one of 7,500 scholarships, totaling more than $33 million, which
will be offered to the winners next spring.
At Francis Howell
North High School (FHN), Blake Coonrod and James Dohrman were both named
semifinalists, and Jacob Lintner was named a commended scholar.
Principal Andy Downs said he is proud to see how well FHN’s students are
doing every year. “It’s amazing how hard these students work, and we
couldn’t be more proud of Blake, James, and Jacob,” said Downs.
From
Francis Howell Central High School (FHC), Taylor Fawcett, Jack Hiegel,
and Rachel Stepanek were also selected as semi-finalists. Kayleigh
Ammond, Sophie Julien, and Abigail Nardi achieved National Merit
commended status. “These students are so dedicated and involved at
Francis Howell Central, it is incredibly inspiring to witness,” said FHC
Principal Dr. Sonny Arnel. “It’s great to see that they are recognized
for their hard work on a national level.”
Francis Howell High
School (FHHS) had nine students recognized by NMSC. Anweshan Das was
named a National Merit semi-finalist, and Leah Amos, Joe Aulbach, Marie
Dishian, Caroline Dobert, Eric Hanson, Mikayla Hardy, Ajay Makkena, and
Christen Voges were all named commended scholars. Principal Dr. David
Wedlock said he is thrilled about the recognition. “The fact that we
have nine students who did so well in this program shows that hard work
and determination can lead to bigger and better things in life,” said
Dr. Wedlock. “We are very proud to have such talented students in our
community, and I can’t wait to see what their future holds.”
About
1.6 million juniors across the nation entered the 2017 National Merit
Scholarship program by taking the 2015 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit
Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/ NMSQT), according to a NMSC press
release. The students who reached the level of semi-finalist represent
less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and include the
highest-ranking entrants in each state.
The names of NMS
finalists will be released in February of 2017. The final winners will
be selected from this group based on their skills, accomplishments and
potential success in rigorous college studies, according to NMSC.
FHSD
congratulates these 19 talented students on the recognition, and wishes
them good luck for the remainder of the competition.