Cates Saleeby named a 2016 National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist
Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School (TBCS) proudly announces that Cates Saleeby has been named as a National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist. Cates is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jay Saleeby, Jr. of Florence and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Commander III, Mrs. Marsha Dargan and Mr. Jim Saleeby. A student at Trinity-Byrnes since seventh grade, Cates has distinguished herself academically, athletically, and philanthropically. Miss Saleeby is a vital leader on the TBCS Varsity Tennis, Cross-Country, and Track and Field teams. She is an AP Scholar, National Etymology Exam Gold Medalist, member of the National Honor Society, National Latin and French Honor Societies, and Junior Classical Honor League. Cates has served Trinity-Byrnes on the Honor Court and Student Council. Cates is an active member and volunteer at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Florence and a Docent at the Florence County Museum.
Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 61st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,400 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.
Steps in the 2016 Competition
About 1.5 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2014 Preliminary sat/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (psat/nmsqt®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.
To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and his or her 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 Semifinalist 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.
From the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.
Trinity-Byrnes fosters development of every student’s intellect and character through strong academics, a wide variety of athletics, and extra-curricular activities. For more information contact April Munn, Director of Admissions, at 843-395-9124, amunn@trinitybyrnes.org.