Watauga High School students Garrett Barlow and Lily Weeks have been named finalists for National Merit Scholarships, highly competitive awards given to exceptionally accomplished students each year through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
“These are two absolutely tremendous young people,” commented Watauga High School Principal Marshall Gasperson. “We know they will excel in higher education and we are very proud of their accomplishments, but we also hate to lose them here. They are the kind of students who make us who we are.”
In college, Barlow expects to major in economics and Weeks plans to prepare for a career as a veterinarian.
While most finalists are likely to receive scholarship offers from a college or university based on their exceptional academic record and leadership potential, only about half are awarded National Merit Scholarships. Lily Weeks was part of this group and will be awarded a scholarship paid for through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Recipients of National Merit Scholarships can use the scholarship at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
Barlow and Weeks were selected as National Merit Semifinalists last fall based on having a Preliminary SAT (PSAT) score in approximately the top 1% of scores in NC. To be named as Finalists, they also had to achieve a confirming score on the SAT, demonstrate consistent academic excellence throughout high school, and have a record of participation in school and community activities.
Watauga High School has a current enrollment of approximately 1,350 students and a record of strong academic performance. Students at the high school have a graduation rate and End-of-Course test scores above the state average and posted the second highest SAT scores out of the 115 school districts in NC last year.
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