Both of Jackson County's only National Merit Semi-Finalists are Western students

Western seniors Sam Memon, left, and Jacob Kuntzleman are National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists. (Photo by The Pride)

Congratulations are in order for two WHS seniors, Jacob Kuntzleman and Mustafa "Sam" Memon,  for being named as a National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists.Jacob and Sam  are the only two National Merit Semifinalists to qualify this year in Jackson County.  Western High is so proud of these two hard working students.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition meant for both recognition and college scholarships.  Students qualify primarily according to their Preliminary SAT (PSAT) standardized test scores.  Approximately 1.6 million juniors took the PSAT in hopes of being named one of 16,000 semi-finalists nation wide.

National Merit Semi Finalists are invited to compete for the status of becoming National Merit Finalists who are announced in February.  Merit scholarship monies are only awarded to National Merit Scholarship Finalists.

–by Mrs. VanRiper