Leake County Students Gather in Hopes of Becoming National Merit Semifinalists
Before taking the PSAT Wednesday, October 13, in Leake Academy's Auditorium, students from Carthage, Edinburg, and Leake Academy listened attentively to Austin Howard, a Leake Academy Senior recently named a 2005 National Merit Semifinalist.
Students from all three schools hope to be named semifinalists next year based on the scores of this test. Howard reminded them "do not guess if you do not know the answer; you are penalized for wrong answers."
Finalists will be named in February of 2005, and next year's semifinalists will be named in August of 2005.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual competition for recognition and undergraduate scholarships. It is open to all U.S. high school students who meet published participation requirements, and scholarship winners are chosen on the basis of their abilities, skills, and accomplishments--without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.
Established in 1955 to conduct the program, National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. In this fiftieth competition, over 8,200 finalists will win Merit Scholarship awards worth about $33.0 million. In addition, 1.600 other high performers in the National Merit program will receive special scholarships totaling nearly $12.8 million.
To find out more information speak to your high school guidance counselor or contact Lori Wilcher, Leake Academy's guidance counselor at 601-267-8107.
