Becoming a National Merit Finalist is an honor that so many high schoolers work hard for and dream of. That accomplishment was recently attained by 13 Homewood High Students. This award is based on students who perform well on the PSAT test, and other academic and extracurricular accomplishments.
The award was just recently announced for this year’s senior class, with the recipients being Jackson Kittenger, Anna Chason Wiggins, Naomi Jones, Ben Shacka, Nathaniel Bernstein, Emma Chiesa, Mira McCool, Gordon Pavy, Maggie Player, John Roberts, Maren Smith, Kenneth Wang and Kayla Warren.
Only about 1% of students who take the test are named finalists so having 13 at one school the size of Homewood is quite the accomplishment.
However, this comes as no surprise considering Homewood’s continual high academic performance in regards to standardized testing. Senior Grade Counselor Bobby Deavers thinks that the number of finalists at Homewood is due in part to Homewood’s great teachers.
“Our students are among the best because they are taught by the best,” Deavers said.
Homewood students are taught by extremely qualified teachers day in and day out. This becomes evident when looking at standardized testing scores such as the PSAT.
Deavers believes that being well-rounded is also a tell-tale sign of a National Merit Finalist.
“In 20+ years as a school counselor, I have never had someone reach National Merit Finalist status who only came to school and went home and studied,” Deavers said.
These finalists are involved in numerous extracurriculars from fine arts, to sports to academic clubs, you name it. Finalists Anna Chason Wiggins and Naomi Jones are clear examples of this.
Wiggins is involved in Band, Show Choir Stage Crew, Patriot Pride, Peer Helpers and Beta Club.
Jones is in Youth Leadership, a member of Spanish Club, a Patriot Pride Ambassador and is the founder and President of the Interact Club. Alongside being involved in so many extra-curriculars, these students can still prioritize their academics.
“My academics are really important to me,” Wiggins said. “I work pretty hard to keep good grades.”
This hard work obviously paid off, and there is no substitute for it. This level of hard work is a common denominator when looking at these finalists.
Finalist Naomi Jones also finds time to prioritize academics through all of the business of everyday life. Jones emphasizes organization when it comes to academics, and keeps a planner where she writes down her work. She also suggests that students do their homework, as this is a simple thing that helps so much when it comes to academic growth.
Hard work academically pays off greatly when it comes to receiving this award. National merit finalists are extremely sought after by colleges around the nation. All types of colleges give these students their very best. Including very generous scholarships that so many students nationwide work hard for and dream about.
“Finalists are recruited like Five-star athletes and have the opportunity to win additional scholarships from colleges and corporations,” Deavers said.
Finalists can receive full tuition scholarships at many universities, and scholarships on almost anything that can be offered.
Another factor that helps many students is that Homewood cares and provides students with the best opportunities that they can to ensure students reach their full potential. The school has students take the test for free during their freshman and sophomore years to prepare. Alongside this the school pays for the students who score the highest among their class in their sophomore year to take a prep course. This is just another testament to Homewood’s dedication to their students’ success.
