The 5 GPS National Merit Semifinalist
GPS has five seniors – Anjali Chandra, Hannah Geerlings, Rachel Hudson, Kelli Marcum and Hannah Thel – who have been recognized as National Merit Semifinalists for 2014-15. Honored for their “exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies,” the girls placed in the top nationwide among 1.4 million juniors in 22,000 high schools who entered the 2015 National Merit program by taking the PSAT in their junior year.
They may now continue in the competition for one of the 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million that will be offered next spring. Semifinalists represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.
GPS Head of School Dr. Autumn Graves introduced the seniors at a school assembly and said, “GPS is incredibly proud of these young women who have been recognized by the National Merit Program for their academic ability. We know that achieving the Semifinalist designation is as much a reflection of a girl’s natural gifts as it is her grit and hard work. We are also proud that these five GPS seniors have excelled in other areas of a GPS education, in the fine arts, in athletics, and in the community through service projects. In partnership with their families, GPS has provided the environment that nurtured their gifts and helped them to be the best version of themselves.”
The girls are multiple academic award winners, class leaders, athletes, and participants in a wide range of club and service activities. Three represented GPS at Volunteer Girls State, three are members of the Honors Orchestra. They are class officers and representatives on the Honor Council and Partnership in Community Council. They write for the school newspaper and participate in theatrical performances.
They hope to be among the 90 percent of National Merit Semifinalists who advance to the Finalist level and win National Merit Scholarships, earning the Merit Scholar title. In the past 10 years, over 50 GPS students have been recognized as Semifinalists. In 2014-15, the five students from GPS and the nine semifinalists from the McCallie School represent the two highest totals for schools in Southeast Tennessee.