Polk County Public Schools
Eight Polk public school students were named 2009 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists in a September 10 announcement by the National Merit Scholarship program. More than 16,000 semifinalists were named nationally.
More than 1.5 million students entered the 2009 National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The 2009
National Merit semifinalists, including the eight Polk students, represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and are the highest scoring entrants in the country on the qualifying test.
National Merit finalists are announced in February 2009 and National Merit scholarship winners are announced in April, May and July of 2009.
Polk’s National Merit semifinalists are listed according to school with residence in parentheses.
Bartow International Baccalaureate: Rachel K. Bouchillon (Bartow), Andrea T. Fontes (Lake Alfred), Kristin L. Mills (Winter Haven), Steven C. Schrader (Davenport) 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 Hodges (Lakeland).