National Merit Finalists are selected from a pool of 16,000 semi-finalists. Semi-finalists are selected from 1.2 million high school juniors who entered the program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The nationwide pool of finalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.
To become a Finalist, the Semifinalists and their high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Finalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.
Butler is a member of the varsity academic Team, the varsity mock trial team, Future Business Leaders of America, Student Council, Beta Club, and National Honor Society. He competes on Tilghman’s football, soccer, and baseball teams. He is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a Kentucky Governor’s Scholar. He is member of the Kentucky American Regional Math Team and a graduate of the Chamber of Commerce’s Youth LEAD program. He is the son of Lori and Danny Butler.
Hancock is a member of the National Honor Society and the PTHS orchestra. She competes on the speech and debate team, the varsity academic team, the mock trial team, and the Kentucky Junior Historical Society / National History Day team. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a Kentucky Governor's Scholar. She will attend Duke University in the fall. Her parents are Sid and Justin Hancock.
Article provided by Paducah Public Schools.
