Three GPS Seniors Receive National Merit Semifinalist Recognition

Last fall, members of the junior class took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Each year, more than 1.3 million students take the test nationwide, with approximately 50,000 recognized for their academic potential based on their test scores. 

Of those recognized for their impressive performances, 34,000 are named Commended Students, while the remaining 16,000 are named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists who vie for placement in the round of Finalists.

Today we recognized three GPS seniors for their high scores. Please help us in congratulating Abigail Carpenter, Lucie DeGaetano, and Ella Harris. 

“We are incredibly proud of these three representatives of the senior class for not only their dedication to their studies but also their accomplishments outside of the classroom,” said Head of School Megan Cover. “Abigail, Lucie, and Ella have served GPS in a multitude of ways during their time as students—from representing their classes through Honor Council and Partnerships in the Community to competing on the field and performing on the stage or in theater tech. While this recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation is well deserved, these three have long been incredible examples of honorable and impressive students at GPS.”

Abigail Carpenter is president of Partnerships in the Community; she is also a member of Terpsichord and Senior Orchestra and has acted in many GPS | McCallie theater productions. Lucie DeGaetano is captain of the cross country team, president of Mock Trial, and vice-president of Junior State of America; she is also a Tucker River Fellow. Ella Harris is a member of the GPS BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), GRiN (Girls Recognizing Individual Neurodiversity), and Interfaith Forums; she also serves our theater department behind the scenes, often serving as stage manager or working lights and sound in the tech booth.

Semifinalists are the highest scorers in each of the 50 states and represent fewer than one percent of each state’s high school seniors. 

Semifinalists continue on to compete for Finalist recognition and ultimately a National Merit Scholarship. To become a Finalist, they will have to submit a detailed scholarship application that includes information about their academic successes, extracurricular pursuits, leadership abilities, and more.

Congratulations, girls, on this tremendous honor.