Five local high school seniors have been recognized as finalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Competition.
Local finalists include Jackson Wedding (Owensboro Catholic), Isaac Hay (Apollo) Carson Decker (Daviess County), David Daniel (Owensboro), and Jacob Ladwig (Owensboro/Gatton Academy).
(Editor’s note: Jacob Ladwig was not listed in the original version of this article because his name was not submitted to Owensboro Times.)
These individuals are among approximately 15,000 students around the country to move on to the next portion of the scholarship competition. Winners will be announced beginning in March.
Winners are chosen on the basis of their abilities, skills, and accomplishments and are the candidates “judged to have the greatest potential for success in rigorous college studies and beyond,” according to the program website.
The selection process involves evaluating information about finalists obtained from both students and their high schools. Included are the finalist’s academic record (course load and difficulty level, depth and breadth of subjects studied, and grades earned); PSAT/NMSQT scores; the student’s essay; demonstrated leadership and contributions to school and community activities; and the school official’s written recommendation and characterization of the finalist.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition among high school students for recognition and college scholarships. Students enter the program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which serves as an initial screen of over 1.3 million entrants each year, and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements.
