September 17, 2024

Carrie Boss, a drum major for Boswell High School's Band of Gold, was in the middle of conducting a rehearsal when she received some unexpected news. Hesitant to stop the rehearsal as the Band of Gold works to perfect their fall show, she reluctantly stepped down, only to learn she had been named a National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist. 

"I was shocked," Boss said. "I wasn’t thinking about it that much. I was just focused on band. But when they told me, I was really surprised." 

Joining Boss in this prestigious honor is fellow Boswell senior Elijah Walker and Chisholm Trail High School senior Elliott Seutter, who were also named Semi-Finalists. In addition, Chisholm Trail senior Zachary Felder earned recognition as a National Merit Commended Scholar. 

The National Merit Scholarship Program is one of the most highly regarded academic competitions in the United States, honoring students who excel on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).  

According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), approximately 1.5 million students take the PSAT each year, with only about 16,000 — less than 1% — advancing to the Semi-Finalist round.  

These students are then invited to compete for Finalist status, with scholarship awards totaling over $30 million. The Semi-Finalists represent the highest scorers in each state. 

For Boss, the recognition is a validation of her hard work both in and out of the classroom. She plans to pursue a degree in music education and has already begun exploring college options. "I'm proud of this accomplishment. It's something concrete that confirms I’ve been on the right path," she said. "It makes me feel like all the effort I've put into my academics, especially with AP courses and the PSAT prep, has paid off." 

Walker echoed her sentiment, sharing that the journey to becoming a Semi-Finalist required focus and perseverance. "I was excited because I had done my research, and I knew my score was close to the predicted cutoff," Walker said. "Everyone around me thought the test was easy, but I didn’t think so — it was challenging, but I worked hard, and it feels good to see that effort rewarded."  

Walker plans to study computer science, with top university choices including Stanford, Rice and The University of Texas at Austin. 

Seutter was equally excited about his achievement. "I put in a lot of hours studying," he said. "I did over 1,000 practice questions and practice tests. Seeing my name on the Semi-Finalist list felt like everything paid off."  

Seutter, who aspires to attend the University of Chicago or Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and eventually pursue a doctorate in physics, emphasized how important preparation was in his success. "I feel good about the prospect of advancing as a finalist, and I really hope to win a scholarship to help pay for college." 

Felder received the distinction of National Merit Commended Scholar, an honor awarded to students who score in the top 3-4% nationally. Although not advancing to the Semi-Finalist round, Felder’s recognition is a testament to his academic excellence. "I'm proud of what I’ve achieved," he said. "It's a reflection of the hard work I’ve put in and what I’ve learned from my teachers in EMS ISD." 

All the students attribute much of their success to the challenging courses offered in EMS ISD. "The variety of AP classes at Boswell has kept me interested and motivated," Boss explained. "I've been able to take a wide variety of AP courses, and they’ve helped me prepare for this level of academic recognition." 

Walker agreed, highlighting how EMS ISD’s focus on excellence in academics and personalized opportunities afforded him the advanced courses and dual credit opportunities like On-Ramps and Capstone, that opened new ways of thinking. "It’s great that we have so many different AP classes. They allow us to explore subjects outside the general high school curriculum," he said. 

Felder also appreciates the value of his education at Chisholm Trail. "The advanced classes, especially in science and history, and career and technical education (CTE) courses, give me an edge," Felder said. "They’ve helped prepare me for college and future career paths." 

As these talented students continue their journey toward college and beyond, the recognition they’ve received from the National Merit Scholarship Program is a testament not only to their individual abilities but also to the strong academic support system at EMS ISD high schools. 

"It speaks to how our teachers have been able to get us to this point," Boss said. "Without their guidance and dedication, none of this would have been possible." 

We are #EMSproud of these accomplished scholars and are excited about their very bright future.