The main goal of the National Merit Scholarship program is to recognize and honor the academically talented students of America. Springdale Public School District’s purpose is learning.

With the efforts of both of these goals, the Springdale Public School System recently added seven new students to the National Merit Semifinalist list. Five of the finalists attend Har-Ber High and the other two attend Springdale High.

Seniors Alex O’Brien, Maddie McWhorter,Timothy Stout, Jackson Strouse, and Chynna Todd are the semifinalists. This is a record number for the Springdale School system, and they are representing our district well.

All students are required to take the PSAT National exam as a sophomore, however if the student scores above a 150 the students are then called, and asked to take it again as a junior.

“I was recognized as a National Merit semifinalist after taking the test my junior year and getting above a 205,” said O’Brien. As were the other semifinalists, each semifinalist had to score above a 205 on the PSAT to qualify.

Students were given the opportunity to attend the PSAT class offered at school.

“I took the PSAT prep class and was was constantly taking practice test and learning vocabulary,” said McWhorter.

Teachers were there to help them prepare to achieve this outstanding opportunity. Once they achieved reaching a score of 205 they were officially recognized as National Merit semifinalists. This in itself is something to be proud of.

“I was really surprised and excited, I didn’t realize what all it entailed,” said McWhorter.

The seven semifinalists have made Springdale Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Rollins extremely proud.

“They are a marvelous and extremely credible example of my position”, said Rollins. “These finalist have shined a light on our school district and made everyone in Springdale proud.”

The finalists have been recognized at school by teachers and students, as well as locally, where they’re featured on five different billboards around Springdale to showcase their achievement.

The semifinalists are busy at work preparing to achieve becoming a National Merit Finalists, and taking their final test, the SAT, to complete this process.

“I am trying to study similar things as I was last year to prepare for the SAT on  Oct. 11th,” said McWhorter.

At this point, the semifinalist are fulfilling all the requirements needed to become a finalist which include “filling out an application, writing and essay, getting school recommendations, and taking the SAT,” said O’Brien.