Latest news with #NationalMeritFinalist
Miami Herald
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
St. Thomas Aquinas' Chase Carroll is the Broward Boys' Scholar-Athlete of the Year
As usual, there was no shortage of great athletes this past school year at St. Thomas Aquinas. But few maintained the balance of success in the classroom and on the field like senior Chase Carroll did. Carroll, a standout on the boys' soccer team, helped the Raiders continue to keep their place among Broward's best while excelling academically. He led St. Thomas Aquinas to the regional finals in Class 6A, which was the best finish in that class among Broward schools while maintaining a 5.4 GPA and earning the chance to attend MIT. As such, Carroll is the Miami Herald's Boys' Scholar-Athlete of the Year for Broward County. Carroll, a forward, was a versatile contributor on an Aquinas squad, which came up one win short of returning to state for the second time in three seasons. Carroll scored 11 goals and had 12 assists, helping him earn first team All-Broward honors in soccer. But off the field, Carroll was even more impressive. In addition to his GPA, Carroll scored a 1580 on his SAT and a 34 on the ACT, and took multiple dual enrollment college and advanced placement courses. During his high school years, Carroll became a member of several National Honor Societies, made the Principal's Honor roll and was a National Merit Finalist. Carroll also received the Veritas Scholarship Award, Rensselaer Medal Award, AP Scholar with Distinction, National African American Recognition Award and National Hispanic Recognition Award. When he wasn't studying or playing soccer, Carroll was volunteering in the community. He served as a junior firefighter with City of Miami Fire Rescue and was a board member and website manager at the Fort Lauderdale International Book Fair.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Claremore Class of 2025 graduates at drizzling commencement ceremony
Claremore High School awarded diplomas to the 331 members of its Class of 2025 Sunday at Lantow Field. Intermittent showers and a gloomy forecast prompted the district to move graduation a few hours ahead of its initially planned start time. Families and graduates alike huddled under umbrellas and ponchos as they packed into the football stadium. Rain continued to fall as the seniors framed the football field in red and white and watched their classmates' faces flicker one by one up on the Jumbotron. Each senior had recorded a "Senior Shout-Out" video to thank their friends, family, teachers and others who had helped them make it to graduation. After everyone had taken their seats, Principal Brooke Lee thanked the crowd for its patience with the weather. "I know everyone just got wet rear ends as they sat down, but it was just really important to me to keep this outside for you seniors so that as many of your family members could be here to celebrate this moment with you," Lee said. "I've heard in some cultures, rain on a wedding day is good luck. So maybe on graduation day, it's good luck as well." Lee said among the Class of 2025 are four valedictorians, 22 salutatorians, 33 Oklahoma Academic Scholars, one Academic All-State winner and one National Merit Finalist. The class earned a collective $2.8 million in scholarships, she said. Claremore's senior class helped propel the school to high honors this year in several sports and extracurricular activities. Lee said Claremore's girls track and field, boys golf, jazz band, academic bowl and Future Farmers of America agricultural communications teams had all won state championships. It took Lee more than five minutes to list all the groups that had achieved on the state or national level this year. "I'd say this group of seniors knows a thing or two about succeeding, and they've got the accomplishments to prove it," Lee said. Each of the four valedictorians gave a speech. Caroline Lee, who will study management information systems at the University of Oklahoma this fall, quoted "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" to remind her classmates to appreciate life because it moves so fast. Allison Wiseman, headed to Milwaukee School of Engineering to study biomedical engineering, advised people cannot control all their circumstances but can always control their perspective. The other two valedictorians, Kizer Ballard and Campbell Crum, will each pursue a political science degree. Ballard said many people had shaped her life, but especially her late grandfather and former Claremore Superintendent Keith Ballard. She said her grandfather dedicated his life to education and taught her to appreciate its value. "There will be smaller gatherings of classmates at reunions, weddings and other celebrations, but right now, this is the last time we will all be together," Ballard said. "Let's rejoice in what we have left and know that I am proud of each person here, and my grandpa would be, too." Crum thanked his parents, who both work at Claremore elementary schools, for orienting him toward education. Between jokes about the rainy weather and Claremore's attendance rates, Crum said he hoped the school would one day restore the block schedule it will replace next year with a seven-period day. This prompted his classmates to clap and cheer. Crum told the rest of his graduating class that though they're starting a new chapter, it's OK to look back once in a while because it's human nature. He referenced his favorite author, Kurt Vonnegut, and how Vonnegut loved Lot's wife for looking back on Sodom. "I found there will always be good in the past if you look for it, and please do look for it because sometimes becoming a pillar of salt will remind you of your beginnings," Crum said. "... Love everyone because no matter what, they're human. Vonnegut once said, 'We're all here to help each other get through this thing, whatever it even is.'" Italya Lona, Claremore's senior class president, gave the last speech and received her diploma first. Lona thanked her family, friends, teachers, coaches and Jesus, and said she loved them more than Starbucks during finals week. Lona said her classmates should be proud of themselves for surviving high school and use that accomplishment to push them through future challenges. She counted the class down into a chant of, "We did it." "Class of 2025, here's to the memories we made, the obstacles we overcame, and the people who helped us along the way," Lona said. "I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anyone else. Now, let's go walk this stage and get out of here like we've been dreaming of since freshman year."
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Golden Lion Award: Nina Nguyen
WEBB CITY, Mo. — There's a new winner of the Golden Lion Award, a brilliant student with a big heart for helping others. 'I'm a senior and I go to Webb City High School,' said Nina Nguyen, WCHS senior. In fact, senior Nina Nguyen is a lifelong Cardinal. This has developed into a hectic schedule of class time, homework, and extracurriculars. 'I'm really involved in show choir and theater and a little bit of speech and debate,' said Nguyen. And Nina likes to give back. She's a National Merit Finalist and likes to coach other students in math, English, and science. 'I was part of the Academic Help Center, during the study hall homeroom block, a group of the upperclassmen go and tutor for anyone who needs it,' said Nguyen. She's also helped out with the Webb City High School Link Crew. 'Link Crew or freshman orientation, where we show them around, take a tour of the school, and have ice breakers, kind of get them settled in to start high school,' said Nguyen. Nina has mentored younger students and volunteers her time to help out in summer school classes. And she especially likes to spend time on Carterville projects. 'For the Summer Fun Day, which is an event that the park committee does, and I used to be a student of Carterville Elementary, so that's kind of my home as well, even though we were only there for two years,' said Nguyen. More Golden Lion Award winners Webb City High School teacher Stacy Stockton says the best thing about Nina is that she's always willing to pitch in when there's a need. 'Had a concession stand. She was the only student who showed up to work the concession stand. And instead of complaining, she did double the work that the other kids should have been helping with. It's remarkable to have a student who just will volunteer for whatever needs to be done,' said Stacy Stockton, WCHS teacher. Nina is already working toward her May graduation, getting ready for the transition to higher ed. 'I plan to attend Missouri, Southern State University for secondary mathematics education,' said Nguyen. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
21-03-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Spring Hill High School's Henry Seitz Named National Merit Finalist
Henry Seitz Named National Merit Finalist Spring Hill High School senior Henry Seitz has been named a National Merit Finalist, an honor awarded to less than 1% of high school seniors nationwide for exceptional academic achievement. SPRING HILL, Kan. - March 21, 2025 - Spring Hill High School senior Henry Seitz has been named a National Merit Finalist, placing him among the top 1% of high school seniors nationwide in this prestigious academic competition. The National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes students with exceptional academic ability and potential for collegiate success. Seitz advanced from Semifinalist to Finalist status after meeting rigorous scholastic requirements and earning high scores on the PSAT/NMSQT. 'We are incredibly proud of Henry for this outstanding achievement,' said Spring Hill High School Principal Marc Williams. 'This recognition reflects his dedication to academic excellence and the strong support system of educators, family, and peers at Spring Hill High School.' More than 1.3 million students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program each year, but only about 15,000 earn the distinction of Finalist. Seitz will now be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, which will be awarded later this spring. 'This is a remarkable accomplishment that speaks to Henry's hard work and commitment to learning,' said Dr. Link Luttrell, superintendent of Spring Hill Schools. 'We celebrate his success and look forward to seeing what he will accomplish in the future.' About Spring Hill Schools Spring Hill Schools is dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence in education. Serving more than 4,000 students across ten schools, the district prioritizes preparing learners for a bright and prosperous future. Media Contact Email: Send Email Phone: 913-592-7258 Address:17640 W. 199th Street State: Kansas
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Three DCHS students named National Merit finalists
Matthew Dunlay, Nathan Goins and Sally Tidwell took the Pre-SAT and did extremely well: All three Daviess County High School seniors were in the top 1% of scorers of all students who took the PSAT in the state. Earlier this week, the students learned they had been selected as finalists to be National Merit Scholars. Goins, Tidwell and Dunlay join Owensboro High School senior Landon Block as National Merit finalists. Becoming a National Merit Finalist is a process that begins when students take the PSAT. According to the National Merit website, 1.3 million students took the PSAT: Of those, only 16,000 high-scorers were named semifinalists. Most of the semifinalists move on to become finalists, but from there, the group will be narrowed to 6,870 Merit Scholarship designees. The students hadn't been officially notified by letter as of Friday afternoon, but DCPS officials were notified earlier in the week. Goins said although he knew the finalists announcements were imminent, he didn't know until his mother called after seeing it on the school district's social media page. Dunlay brushed up on his punctuation, but otherwise felt ready for the test, which is about 50% reading and writing and 50% mathematics. 'I've always been really good at math,' Dunlay said. Goins said he didn't do much prep work for the test. 'I know I had a study book, but I don't know if I even used it,' Goins said. 'I might have flipped the pages the night before.' Tidwell said in an email she was excited to learn she was a National Merit finalist and said: 'I'm absolutely honored, and very excited, to have made it this far. 'Not many students get this opportunity or this kind of recognition, so I'm incredibly grateful for it.' Dunlay said his family was also pleased by the announcement. 'My dad gave me a high five,' he said. James Bryant, school counselor at DCHS, said the school is proud of the students' accomplishments. The students have 'top of the line great scores, but so is (the students') character,' Bryant said. 'Being named a semifinalist and then a finalist is very excellent in applying for opportunities that are out there,' Bryant said. 'It just strengthens their portfolio.'
