Officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) recently announced the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalist in the 62^nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Among the names on the list of talented high school seniors was Westminster Academy’s own Emily Jordan. As a result of being named to the list, Ms. Jordan will have an opportunity to compete for National Merit Scholarships worth approximately $33 million. Scholarship recipients will be announced next spring after completing further requirements. With Emily’s qualification, Westminster Academy has had eleven students in six years named to the Semifinalist list.

“Classical Christian education has the unique capacity to unlock a student’s full potential,” said Headmaster Ralph Janikowsky. “By teaching both the heart and mind together and fully engaging students in the great conversations of the ages, we partner with parents to prepare students to engage the 21^st century world for Christ.”

Emily adds National Merit Semifinalist to an already impressive list of academic accomplishments, including four consecutive semesters on the Headmaster’s List, eight quarters on the Honor Roll, and the Mr. Cicero Latin Oration Award. She was named the 2016 winner of The Association of Classical & Christian Schools’ Blakey Art competition for drawing. Emily was also a gold and silver medalist in the Wordsmith Writing Competition of Shelby County, Tenn. In addition to her academic accolades, Emily volunteers in the community through a variety of service organizations including Manna House Homeless facility, Service Over Self of Memphis and the MidSouth Food Bank.

Also honored by the NMSC as a Commended Student was Westminster Academy senior Houston Newsome. Commended Students are recognized for the exceptional academic promise demonstrated by their outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT. Approximately 34,000 high performers nationwide were named to the Commended Student list this year. Houston becomes Westminster Academy’s twelfth commended student in the last six years.

About 1.6 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2017 NMSC by taking the 2015 PSAT/NMSQT, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of all U.S. high school seniors.