Four Titan National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists


Four T.C. Williams High School seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists. They are among the 16,000 semiļ¬nalists in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program and will have the opportunity to compete for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered next spring.
In Their Own Words:
Mark Bailey
āI may be in interested in studying medicine or health related topics in college. Iām also really interested in languages. Iāve taken Chinese for seven years. I picked it in sixth grade ā it seemed like a language that has become more and more important. I find it really interesting to learn about how people communicate with each other.ā
Ava Benbow
āMy two favorite subjects are science and art. At T.C. there are really great science classes. Every time I try a science, itās my new favorite, but right now biology is what Iām thinking about. Iām also really interested in genetics and thatās something that Iād be really interested in studying in college.ā
Ana Humphrey
āIāve had this incredible fascination with exoplanets and space and astrophysics in general. I would love to pursue research in that area, potentially even becoming a professor ā a research professor so that I can mentor other students and help them discover their own passions for research and science. I also really care about the environment and environmental issues. Iād like to continue to mentor students, help them learn about the world around them and how to make it a better place.ā
Alexander Schlegel
āMusic and physics are my two main things. I was always good at math and enjoy doing it. When I was introduced to physics, the problem-solving aspect really attracted me. Iām totally passionate about it. Itās really what I enjoy doing. On the artsy side, Iām a musician. I play clarinet and piano. I really enjoy both of those things and hope to continue playing them in college.ā
To become a semiļ¬nalist is no easy feat. A student must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn SATĀ® scores that confirm the studentās earlier performance on the qualifying test. Mark, Ava, Ana and Alexander, along with students to be named who will have received letters of commendation for being among the top five percent, will be honored at a special breakfast with their families in early October. The 2019 National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July 2019.