East Henderson High senior Mitchell Dennison and West Henderson High senior Maliha Khan are semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
They will submit a scholarship application detailing their academic records, honors and awards received, leadership skills, participation in school and community activities, and employment to become a finalist and be considered for the prestigious $2,500 National Merit Scholarship.
East Henderson High Principal Scott Rhodes, “Mitch is ranked number 1 in his class at this time. He is a top student academically, and an all around great student. He is involved in many extracurricular activities including band. He represents everything that we want an East High Eagle to be about.”
“Maliha is a very well-rounded student who is an asset to each group she is associated with at West High. She is a very successful contributing member of our student body. We are very proud of this opportunity for Maliha,” said West Henderson High Principal Dean Jones.
As juniors, Mitchell and Maliha took the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and qualified. They were among 1.4 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools nationwide to take the test.
Now these students are two of 16,000 semifinalists competing for college scholarships and recognition in the 60th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. About 15,000 of the semifinalists are expected to advance to the finalist level. Semifinalists will be notified in February if they have advanced to the finalist level, and winners will be announced beginning April 2015.
Since 2003 HCPS has had:
– one National Merit® Scholarship Winner: Andrew Wells, Hendersonville High in 2012.
– three National Merit® Scholarship Finalists: Tyler Bice, West High – 2012; Emily Stanley, Hendersonville High – 2012; James Walker Gorsuch, West Henderson High – 2006.
– two National Merit® Scholarship Semifinalists: Shawn Loder, West Henderson High – 2006; Michael Carnot, North Henderson High -2003.
– three National Merit® Special Scholarship Recipients: Sieara Bishop, West High – 2012; Holly Arrowood, East Henderson High – 2008; and Summer Arrowood, East Henderson High – 2008.
About the National Merit® Scholarship Program:
It is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) —a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year—and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.
Semifinalist: In early September about 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, are notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists. To ensure that academically talented young people from all parts of the United States are included in this talent pool, Semifinalists are designated on a state representational basis. They are the highest scoring entrants in each state. NMSC provides scholarship application materials to Semifinalists through their high schools. To be considered for a National Merit® Scholarship, Semifinalists must advance to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and all other requirements explained in the information provided to each Semifinalist.
Finalist: In February about 15,000 Semifinalists are notified by mail at their home addresses that they have advanced to Finalist standing. High school principals are notified and provided with a certificate to present to each Finalist.