National Merit Finalists

Three WHS Seniors Named Finalists in National Merit Scholarship Program
Posted on 02/21/2019
National Merit FinalistsWashington High School seniors Kristen Monzyk, James Collier and David Walker are among the approximately 15,000 Finalists in the 64th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Monzyk, Collier and Walker were named Semifinalists during the fall, three of only 16,000 recipients out of approximately 1.6 million students from more than 22,000 high schools that entered the program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants.

From the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, roughly 15,000 students advanced to the Finalist level. This represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and their high school had to submit a detailed scholarship application in which they provided information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.

“Each year nationally, less than 15,000 students are recognized as a National Merit Finalist. Such a distinction means the three students representing Washington High School are in the top percentiles of high school seniors,” said Washington High School Principal Dr. Kelle McCallum. “We are proud of the accomplishments of Kristen, James and David, and celebrate this honor with them.”

Kristen Monzyk, the daughter of Jason and Erin Monzyk, plans to pursue a degree in Pre-Med or Biology in college. She will attend the University of Arkansas.

James Collier, the son of Jason and Janice Collier, plans to pursue a degree in Physics in college. He is undecided on where he will attend college.

David Walker, the son of Kerry and Katie Walker, plans to pursue a degree in Engineering or Computer Science in college. He will attend Missouri S&T in Rolla.

About half the Finalists will win a scholarship, either a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship or a merit scholarship sponsored by a college or corporation.

National Merit Scholarship winners of 2019 will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July. These scholarship recipients will join some 338,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.

National Merit Finalists
Washington High School seniors Kristen Monzyk, James Collier and David Walker are among the approximately 15,000 Finalists in the 64th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. From left are Collier, Monzyk and Walker.