Mansfield ISD Magazine Spring 2018 | Page 10

Six MISD Students Chosen as National Merit Finalists T he six Mansfield ISD students who were selected at the beginning of the school year as National Merit Semifinalists have advanced to the finalist round. The students were entered into the competition by earning top scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Out of 1.6 million entrants, only 15,000 students are selected as National Merit Finalists, making them in the less than 1 percent of high school students to earn the distinction. The academically talented high school seniors have the chance to earn part of the 7,500 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $32 million, that will be offered in the spring. Congratulations to the following National Merit Finalists: Nicholas Vo – Lake Ridge High School Ryan King – Legacy High School Nathan Haslam – Legacy High School Kayla Nguyen – Mansfield High School Hayley Ullman – Mansfield High School Jacob Weaver – Summit High School National Merit Finalists are selected based on their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin or religious preference. The National Merit Scholarship Program was founded in 1955 to identify and honor scholastically talented American youth and to encourage them to develop their abilities to the fullest. 8 Mansfield School & Family Mansfield School & Family 9