Polk County Public Schools
Three Polk seniors from the class of 2009 have 13 years of perfect attendance. They are the only seniors among approximately 5,500 12th graders in the school district to have 13 years of perfect attendance. They are listed with their current school in parentheses and schools they have attended in the past 13 years.
Michelle Jean (Auburndale High): Crystal Lake Elementary-Lakeland, Garner Elementary -Winter Haven, Lena Vista Elementary- Auburndale, Inwood Elementary- Winter Haven, Oscar J. Pope Elementary-Eaton Park, Westwood Middle- Winter Haven, Lakeland High, Winter Haven High.
Tyler Konkol-Bennett (Bartow High): Hillcrest Elementary-Lake Wales, Union Academy- Bartow.
Sarah Perry (Mulberry High): Kingsford Elementary, Mulberry Middle.
Rachel K. Bouchillon, a Bartow resident and senior in the International Baccalaureate program at Bartow High, was named a 2009 National Merit Scholar in an announcement by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
More than 1.5 million students entered the 2009 National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The 2009 National Merit Scholars represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and are the highest scoring entrants in the country on the test.
Rachel Bouchillon’s National Merit Scholarship is underwritten by the 3M Company headquartered in St. Paul, Minn. National Merit Scholarships underwritten by corporations range from $500 to $40,000.
Approximately 8,200 high school seniors are named National Merit Scholars. Subsequent announcements of National Merit Scholars will be made by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation on May 27 and July 13. The Polk Public Schools currently have six students in contention for National Merit Scholarships. Polk public school students in contention for National Merit Scholarships are listed according to school with residence in parentheses.
Bartow International Baccalaureate: Andrea T. Fontes (Lake Alfred), Kristin L. Mills (Winter Haven) and William J. Wysong (Lake Wales).
Harrison Center For The Visual And Performing Arts: Kathryn L. Phillips (Lakeland) and Garrett M. Williams (Lakeland).
Polk Community College High: Shiloh C. Hodges (Lakeland).
