Three Daviess County Public Schools district students have been named semifinalists in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. They are among approximately 16,000 academically high school seniors who now advance in the competition for about 7,500 National Merit Scholarships valued at more than $31 million, which will be awarded next spring. Semifinalists represent students who earned the highest scores in each state on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. More than 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.
Apollo High School has two students rank among this prestigious group as 2020 National Merit Semifinalists.
Connor Satterly is the son of Nathan and Beth Satterly of Owensboro. Connor is active in the Wendell H. Ford Statesmanship Academy, the Apollo Swim Team, and Apollo Academic Team. Connor is participating in the DCPS Early College Academy. He will graduate this year with an associates degree as well as an Apollo High School diploma.
Daniel Mays is the son of Shirley Mays. Daniel is involved in Beta Club, Apollo Academic Team and Student Council at Apollo High School. Daniel will graduate this year with a DCPS Honors Diploma.
Daviess County High School senior Noah Owen is the son of Kevin and Jenni Owen of Owensboro. He is an active member of the DCHS Academic Team, Student Council, Y-Club, Key Club and Beta Club. Noah serves as historian of the DCHS chapter of the National Honor Society and is the senior class reporter. He plans to major in mathematics education in college with a goal of pursuing a career as a math teacher.
The National Merit Scholarship Corp., a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 410 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence. Learn more at www.nationalmerit.org