Junior year, every student has the opportunity to take the PSAT. The students who score in the top 1% of the state are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship. Seniors Ellie Hohman and Madeline Heinen both made it past the semifinal round and are now considered finalists.
Heinen and Hohman found out that they were semifinalists in October and finalists in February. In order to advance from a semifinalist to a finalist, they had a few more steps to complete.
“I had to fill out an essay, list some extracurriculars and then give a letter of recommendation,” Heinen said.
When listing out her leadership roles, Hohman said she focused on her in-school clubs.
“I am in leadership for NHS, math NHS, science NHS and KAY club,” Hohman said. “I also have several jobs that I like and I volunteer and I help lead with those.”
Heinen and Hohman spent at least three hours a week studying in their gifted class, taking advantage of the resources available.
“I used Khan Academy online because they have a free program I could use,” Hohman said. “Then, I took practice PSATs.”
Hohman first heard about the scholarship when her older brother received it.
“After my brother got it, I couldn’t let him one up me,” Hohman said. “I definitely wanted to [get the scholarship]. I’m a pretty good test taker, so I figured if I can, I want to.”
Heinen said she did not believe she was going to qualify but was very excited and happy to hear the results.
“It was rewarding,” Heinen said. ”It proved to me that hard work does pay off and if I set a goal, I can achieve it.”
