Graduating at the top of the Class of 2015 nationwide, three Garland High School students are being recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Lexie Ford was named a 2015 National Merit Scholar, while Mahimajanani Senthilkumar received a National Merit University of Chicago Scholarship, and Janet Aiyedun earned a National Achievement Scholarship.
More than 1.4 million juniors in approximately 22,000 high schools entered the 2015 National Merit Scholarship competition when they took the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Last fall, approximately 16,000 Semifinalists were named, representing less than one percent of the nation’s seniors.
To compete for Merit Scholarship awards, each had to advance to the Finalist level of the competition by fulfilling additional requirements. Semifinalists were asked to submit a detailed scholarship application, which included writing an essay and providing information about extracurricular activities, awards and leadership positions. They also had to have an outstanding academic record, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, and earn SAT scores that confirmed the qualifying test performance.
Garland ISD’s honorees represent the strongest competitors, showing a combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies. They were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors and will receive $2,000-$8,000 for their designations.