MORAN — Emily Boyd’s academic prowess has led to some lofty recognition.
The Marmaton Valley High School senior was named this week as a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist, one of three from southeast Kansas to receive the honor.
If she becomes a finalist, she estimates her scholarship earnings for next year and beyond will essentially double.
Boyd, the daughter of Mark and Patti Boyd, plans on attending the University of Kansas next fall. She has yet to decide a major.
The National Merit Scholarship program is open to any high school junior enrolled to take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT), which Boyd did last fall.
Boyd’s score ranked her in the top 1 percent of all students taking the test. There are more than 16,000 semifinalists nationwide.
Of those, 15,000 will be named finalists. Each semifinalist must maintain a sterling academic record, write an essay and earn an endorsement of a school official. Students also must complete the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) to confirm the PSAT score.
Boyd has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average while participating in band, forensics, the school’s dance team and plays volleyball and softball. She’s also a National Honors Society member.
Finalists will be announced in February. They’ll earn National Merit scholarships, worth $2,500, plus be eligible for other corporate- or college-sponsored scholarships.
A number of other special scholarships will be awarded to other students who do not become finalists as well.
MV senior named Merit Scholar semifinalist
