McKinney, Texas – Last fall, approximately 1.6 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools sat down to take the 2015 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT©) which served as an initial screen of entrants in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Those students are, of course, seniors now, and this month, officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of 34 McKinney ISD students whose outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT earned Commended Scholar recognition and 10 who have been named Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship program.

In addition, the College Board has recognized 19 McKinney ISD students in the National Hispanic Recognition program based on their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT.

McKinney Boyd High School 2017 National Merit Semifinalists: (l-r) Jodie Chen, Nidha Sha, Austin Williams, Alexis Thorton, Lauren Patton,Cole O’Neill, Catherine Nguyen and Maxine Cabrasawan (Not Pictured: Preston Mills)

“To earn recognition by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and the College Board is one of the great academic achievements a student can attain during his or her high school years,” said Marita Cleaver, McKinney ISD Coordinator of Advanced Academics. “Such recognition honors those students who focus on college readiness and commit their efforts and dedication to this goal on their path to success in college and life.

“It equally honors all those who have provided a solid foundation of educational growth throughout these students’ academic careers. We are proud and humbled to have such hard working and dedicated students in MISD, and we congratulate them and their families as they celebrate these outstanding academic achievements,” said Cleaver.

McKinney North High School 2017 National Merit Semifinalist Trinity Vincent

Commended Scholars

More than two-thirds (about 34,000) of the approximately 50,000 high scorers on the PSAT/NMSQT received Letters of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise. These exceptional students represent the top two percent of the 1.6 million entrants who took the PSAT/NMSQT in 2015.

Although Commended Students do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, some of these students do become candidates for Special Scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.

MBHS National Merit Commended Scholars

• Benjamin Ashby
• Austin Buley
• Meg Dickson
• Bradley Gladden
• Bora Gomez
• Justin Greisz
• Joseph Harokopus
• Davis Harrison
• Aaron Holle
• Sydney Houk
• Sarah Kerr
• Zachary Luton
• Emily Oh
• Andrew Riding
• Eric Seall
• David Skiles
• Joshua Tan
• Matthew Weeden

MHS National Merit Commended Scholars

• Eric Beights
• Michael Hamilton
• Travis Harsch
• Jack Moraglia
• Sam Norris
• Madison Ridge
• Gillian Ryan
• Shane Smith
• Allison Wu

MNHS National Merit Commended Scholars

• Melina Corriveau
• Brooklynn Henry
• Ashley Jurak
• Alexander Paul
• Mushfequr Rahman
• Jaden Woods
• Jacob Young

National Merit Semifinalists

National Merit Scholarship Corporation has named approximately 16,000 students Semifinalists in the 62nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These students have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more about $33 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 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.

MBHS National Merit Semifinalists

• Maxine Cabrasawan
• Jodie Chen
• Preston Mills
• Catherine Nguyen
• Cole O’Neill
• Lauren Patton
• Nidha Sha
• Alexandra Thorson
• Austin Williams

MNHS National Merit Semifinalists

• Trinity Vincent

National Hispanic Recognition Program

Each year, the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) identifies academically talented Hispanic/Latino high school students. This year, about 5,000 of the highest-scoring students from among the approximately 250,000 Hispanic/Latino juniors who took the PSAT/NMSQT in 2015 have received recognition. Although there is no financial award tied to recognition, NHRP makes student information available to colleges and universities that are interested in communicating with academically talented Hispanic/Latino students.

MBHS National Hispanic Recognition Honorees

• Payton Argabright
• Jordan Briggs
• Summer Bye
• Alexander Meza
• Rica Lelina
• Sophie Alderete
• Bora Gomez
• Jennifer Graves
• Justin Greisz
• Alec Rodriguez

MHS National Hispanic Recognition Honorees

• Jesse Ardila
• Abigail Stallbaumer
• Isabelle Monjaraz
• Nicole Stuessy
• Jared Dzakovic
• Sadiel Ortiz Salgado

MNHS National Hispanic Recognition Honorees

• Lois Ruiz
• Isabella Trevino
• Giovanni Martinez

National Merit Scholarship Corporation

NMSC, 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 440 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.

The College Board

The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity.

Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of over 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education.

Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success — including the SAT and the Advanced Placement Program. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools.

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