Left to right: Jonathan Gooch '18, Coleman Davis '18, and Bennett David '18
Three Greenies Are National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
Seniors Bennett David '18, Coleman Davis '18, and Jonathan Gooch '18 make the cut
Three of the brightest minds at Christ School are semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program, it was announced Wednesday.
Bennett David '18, Coleman Davis '18, and Jonathan Gooch '18 were lauded at the end of morning chapel by Dean of Academics and Curriculum Brooke Depelteau, then showered with applause from their classmates. Bennett, Coleman, and Jonathan are three of approximately 16,000 semifinalists nationwide. The Greenie trio is now in the running for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million. The pool of semifinalists represents less than one percent of all high school seniors in the United States, and was whittled down from about 1.6 million applicants.
"It's awesome. I am truly honored to be among a group that includes these guys," Jonathan said as he motioned towards Bennett and Coleman.
"Hard work pays off," Coleman said. "I've worked my tail off for this, so it's a nice reward."
"I'm super honored," Bennett said. "I really appreciate the recognition."
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is the initial screening for every student who chooses to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program. Bennett, Coleman, and Jonathan were among the highest scorers in North Carolina, which is each boy's home state. To become a finalist, they must submit a detailed scholarship application, which includes information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A semifinalist looking to advance to the next stage must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a school official, write an essay, and earn SAT scores that confirm their earlier performance on the qualifying test.
Finalists for the National Merit Scholarship Program will be determined in February.
