Two PL South Seniors Experience National Merit Process

by Drew Hudson
11.8.07

Papillion-La Vista South has always been committed to keeping its students looking ahead to the future. By encouraging students to take the PSAT, ACT and other college entrance exams, the faculty has put most students on a straight line to the big leagues of education.

Two students who took the PSAT made it to the semifinals of the National Merit Scholarship Program along with roughly 16,000 other students across the nation.

“Students must take the PSAT as a junior to qualify for National Merit,” guidance counselor Renee Mead said. “National Merit is a way for a lot of different companies to award recognition for the top scorers.”

The NMSP looks at the selection index, or the total score achieved, to receive consideration, and that determines the top scorers. Those high scorers move on to become qualifiers and are reviewed once more to determine the semifinalists.

South had four qualifiers, but lost two of those to review. Of the four qualifiers, seniors Josh Conrad and Nick Murphy went on to become semifinalists.

“It’s pretty cool because of the scholarships awarded by state universities,” Murphy said.

Only 1,000 students out of the original 16,000 will become National Merit finalists. Conrad is hopeful he will make the cut.

“I did pretty well on the SAT,” Conrad said. “The hard part is getting a scholarship and actually receiving money.”

Conrad and Murphy have other things besides scoring high on the SAT to complete in order to be considered for becoming finalists.

“Josh and Nick got a large packet each,” Mead said. “They must complete a personal essay, get a letter of recommendation, and have their personal and academic information reviewed.”

With all this achievement comes the hungry attention from colleges and a widening of view for the boys’ college choices.

“UNL actually offered me tuition plus $2,000 extra for a scholarship if I become a finalist, but I don’t want to go there,” Conrad said. “I’m thinking about going to Creighton.”

Whether they win or not, it looks like Conrad’s and Murphy’s futures are looking up after all the hard work they’ve put in here at South.

photo by Braden Boex