HPHS Students are National Merit Semifinalists

Mobile-area high schools are celebrating 24 high-achievers in their midst.

Semifinalists must also be endorsed and recommended by a high school official and write an essay.

The four Wilson County students are Jared Luckas from Friendship Christian School; Mackenzie Eiseman from Mt. Juliet High School; Taylor L. Sovell from Mt. Juliet High School and Deanna Upchurch from Watertown High School.

There were two Maui semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program this year, one from HP Baldwin HS, and the other from King Kekaulike.

Semifinalists will learn in February whether they have advanced to the Finalist level.

The semifinalists announced Wednesday include the highest-scorers in each state. To become a finalist, students must demonstrate community involvement, leadership abilities, employment and honors received. Merit scholar designees are selected based on their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin or religious preference. Courtesy photoLAHS Students named Semifinalists in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program pictured with Principal Brad Parker (front right) and Superintendent Dr. Kurt Steinhaus (back center) are (front, left to right): EliseAnne Koskelo; Sarah Schirato; Katherine Schirato; Rachel Wallstrom; Katherine Wang; and Kim Vo; (back, left to right) Nikola Draganic; John Rees; Madeline Lockhart; Devon McCleskey and Ivan Trujillo. The funding is made possible through the help of 440 business organizations and institutions of higher education that share the same goals of honoring scholars in their pursuit of academic excellence.