James Clemens among leads in state with 14 National Merit Finalists

MADISON – James Clemens High School has seized another top honor with 14 students qualifying for the prestigious status of National Merit Finalist.

Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements, which are available in information they receive with their scholarship applications. This information is also listed in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide. (nationalmerit.org)

Students are required to complete an application; maintain a consistently high academic record; write an essay; receive endorsement and a recommendation by a school official; and take the SAT and earn a score that confirms the PSAT/NMSQT performance.

“We are obviously very proud of this group,” James Clemens Principal Dr. Brian Clayton said. “They are the shining stars of our school and have a tremendous commitment to academics.”

“We look forward to the great things these Jets will do in the future,” Clayton said.

National Merit Finalists at James Clemens are Nathan P Assaf, Ethan W. Brown, Sarah W. Han, Zachary S. Hannon, Dongwon Lee, Hailey A. Long, Jillian A. Minor, Neha V. Mokashi, Laith J. Qushair, Aditya Singhal, Hannah E. Smid, Anna A. Townsend, Mary Elizabeth Vaughan and Meredith I. Williams.

Superintendent Robert V. Parker said a “cornerstone” of the success for Madison City Schools is ensuring that, no matter where a student lives in the district, the child will live in a zone with a quality school. Discussing National Merit Finalists in 2018, Parker pointed out that the vast majority of students from both high schools progressed from Madison City elementary and middle schools on their path to high school.

National Merit Scholarship Corporation was established in 1955, a time in which concern existed that the United States was lagging behind in the cold war scientific race. Unfortunately, the public was indifferent to rewarding intellectual accomplishment, according to the corporation’s website.

In response, the National Merit Scholarship Program was founded to identify and honor scholastically talented American youth and to encourage them to develop their abilities to the fullest.

For more information, visit nationalmerit.org.