Connor Booher ’20 and Richard Lytle ’20 are front and center every time there is a Chapel service at Christ School.
The Sacristan and Verger have distinguished themselves in another big way as National Merit Semifinalists, it was announced Wednesday. Less than one percent of all United States high school seniors achieve Semifinalist status in the National Merit Scholarship Program based off their performance on the Preliminary SAT.
Christ School has now produced 11 National Merit Semifinalists since 2013 and eight in the past four years, the most of any North Carolina school (public, private, or charter) west of Charlotte.
“I am honored to qualify for National Merit,” Richard said.
“I've always looked up to previous National Merit Scholars during my time here, and it is so inspiring to have achieved what I dreamed of as a freshman. At the same time, my work is not finished. I have much more to give to the school and am excited for all that this year will bring.”
Connor and Richard have made themselves eligible for one of 7,600 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.
“When I found out I had made the (Semifinalist) cut, I was elated,” Connor said. “When thinking back on all the seniors throughout my time here who had received the same honor I now hold, I am humbled. Those guys and their accomplishments seem distant from mine, but the thought of being considered among their ranks fills me with great pride, and I’m happy to play a part in continuing the Christ School-National Merit legacy.”
As Sacristan, Connor rings the Angelus bell before Chapel service and sits alongside Father John Roberts. The senior hails from Fairview, N.C. (just outside of Asheville), is currently a member of the Greenie cross country team, and president of the Politics Discussion Club.
Richard’s hometown is Asheville. Outside of his studies, he is perhaps best known to his peers for being a Red Hat leader in the Outdoor Program. Richard’s kayaking skills are so advanced that he is training for the world-famous Green River Narrows Race on November 2. The Green River is about 20 miles from Christ School’s campus. Richard’s two most visible duties as Verger are dismissing everyone from Chapel and reading the Christ School prayer list.