Steven B. Knudsen Chair, District II | Gwinnett County Public Schools
Steven B. Knudsen Chair, District II | Gwinnett County Public Schools
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) has announced that 12 seniors from Gwinnett County Public Schools have been awarded the 2024 National Merit Scholarships, funded by U.S. colleges and universities. These scholarships are part of a national program recognizing students with exceptional potential for success in college.
The recipients from Gwinnett include students from several high schools. From Archer High School, Brandon J. Woolfolk, who plans to pursue environmental engineering, received the National Merit University of Central Florida Scholarship. Brookwood High School's Aidan T. Stanley, aiming for a career in computer science, was awarded the National Merit University of Alabama Scholarship.
Cassandra E. Norris from Duluth High School, with a probable career in counseling, also received a scholarship from the University of Alabama. The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology had four winners: Gabriel M. Babb and Harold H. Fu both plan to study mechanical engineering and video game design respectively at the University of Georgia; Haven A. Hardy intends to focus on environmental engineering; Diana E. Mawejje will pursue cell biology at the University of Tulsa.
Mill Creek High School's Alexander J. Vaitl plans to enter computer science at the University of Georgia. North Gwinnett High School boasts five winners: Aaron J. Kim will study civil engineering at Vanderbilt University; Keira C. Olds aims for aerospace engineering at Purdue University; Jonathan K. Schofield is set for computer engineering studies at the University of Georgia; Jenny Thai plans to enter pediatrics also at the University of Georgia.
These scholars were selected based on their accomplishments and potential as assessed by officials from sponsoring colleges among finalists attending their institutions this fall.
The scholarships offer between $500 and $2,000 annually over four years for undergraduate studies at participating institutions—149 higher education institutions are funding these awards this year across 42 states and Washington D.C., including 77 private and 72 public schools.
In total, more than 6,900 high school seniors nationwide have been granted nearly $26 million in National Merit Scholarships for undergraduate study through this program.
High school juniors entered into consideration by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) in 2022 as an initial screening step towards becoming semifinalists—over 16,000 semifinalists were named last fall representing less than one percent nationally based on state-representational proportions aligned with each state's share among graduating seniors.
To advance further into finalist standing required fulfilling additional criteria including essay submissions detailing extracurricular activities along with outstanding academic records endorsed by school officials plus SAT or ACT scores validating prior test performances leading ultimately toward earning merit scholarships as part of this competitive process wherein more than half eventually become awardees each year like those honored here today within Gwinnett County’s community showcasing excellence achieved amongst its student populace statewide across America alike annually ongoing thereby contributing significantly educationally speaking overall too throughout society likewise accordingly evermore forward looking optimistically indeed so forth etcetera...
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