Ted Peterson '19 a Semifinalist for National Merit Scholarship
Ted Peterson '19 took it all in Thursday as he was showered with applause.
The senior from Fairview, N.C., has never sought out recognition for his academic endeavors. However, he has gotten the attention nonetheless as one of just 16,000 Semifinalists in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
Director of Academics & Curriculum Brooke Depelteau made the announcement Thursday to the delight of everyone in Chapel. Christ School has now produced nine National Merit Semifinalists since 2013 and six the past three years, the most of any North Carolina school (public, private, or charter) west of Charlotte.
"It's pretty cool to be recognized. I look at it as an accumulation of everything I've done here at Christ School, and everything that I've learned," Ted said.
Ted hopes to study Biomedical Engineering in college. He has an active role in Christ School's Environmental Club, Rotary Interact Club, and Medical Interest Club.
Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program represent less than one percent of all United States high school seniors and are determined by their performance on the Preliminary SAT. As a semifinalist, Ted is now eligible for one of 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered next spring. Over 90 percent of Semifinalists take the necessary steps to become Finalists, and about half that number go on to win a National Merit Scholarship.
Duke University freshman Bennett David '18 was a National Merit Scholarship winner from Christ School's Class of 2018.
