This year, De Soto High School had three National Merit Scholar Finalists. Seniors Austin Showen, Philip Kaul and Parker Riley all scored in the top half-percent in their PSAT’s.

This is the most National Merit Scholar Finalists that DHS has had in a single year, and the most that have been nominated in all of the 4A Kansas high schools.

Students are chosen based on their abilities, skills and accomplishments. The judges are given the finalist’s academic record, information about the school’s curricula and grading system, two sets of test scores, the high school official’s written recommendation, information about the student’s activities and leadership, and the finalist’s own essay.

Overall, 15,000 students across America become National Merit Finalists, and only 8,000 students actually become National Merit Scholars.

“It means a lot to have made it this far because it means we’re all being recognized for the hard work we have put in throughout our four years at DHS,” senior Philip Kaul said.

Senior Parker Riley agrees. “Not only is it recognition of our hard work, but it can be really helpful in getting scholarships depending on what college you apply to.”

Most public colleges offer large scholarships to students who have become a National Merit Finalist and are willing to offer even more to students who become a National Merit Scholar.

On top of scholarship offers from colleges, those who become a National Merit Scholar are given one of three scholarships. The first is the National Merit single payment $2,500 scholarship, awarded on a state representational basis. The second is a corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship, awarded by corporations. These can be either renewable or single-payment. The last is college-sponsored Merit Scholarships. These are given to students who have listed the college as their number one choice.

Kaul, Riley and Showen will receive the results of the final selection sometime after the beginning of March.