National Merit Semifinalists

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A particularly large group of Bexley seniors, 6.5 percent of the class of 2010, are among the top students from across the country qualifying as this year’s National Merit Semifinalists. The eleven Bexley High School semifinalists are: Jacob Beech, Laura Bloch, Evan Darwin, Hallie Dolin, David Hahn, Graham Horn, Erin Kellogg, Matt Kirschner, Nathaniel Pelz, Jesse Vogel and Brian Yost. The school’s 2009-2010 senior class includes a total of 168 students.

The National Merit Scholarship Program annually honors about 16,000 semifinalists who compete for recognition and scholarships. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements, according to the National Merit Program.

Each year in September, approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers on the test are notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists. These students advance to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and various other requirements, in order to be considered for a Merit Scholarship award.

Some information about Bexley's semifinalists:

Jacob Beech's parents are Doug Beech and Amy Stearns. Serving as a co-editor of the student newspaper, The Torch, he is most interested in science and journalism. He has not decided yet about his post-graduation plans. “I only know that I want to spend time during the next four years simply learning for the sake of learning,” he said.

Laura Bloch has been involved in field hockey and Key Club while a student at BHS and is currently undecided regarding college applications and areas of study. Her parents are Dan and Nicki Bloch.

Evan Darwin is the son of Robert and Beverly Darwin. He performs with the high school’s Vocal Ensemble and theatre program; plays on the golf team; and serves on The Torch staff. As possible areas of interest in college, he lists pre-med, pre-law, political science, engineering, and biology. Colleges and universities where he would like to study are Duke University, Stanford University, Vanderbilt University, Princeton University, and Wake Forest University.

Hallie Dolin is the daughter of Jason and Lisa Dolin. The co-captain this year of BHS’s academic quiz team, In the Know, Ms. Dolin hopes to study biology and environmental science; English and creative writing; and theatre and singing. She is considering colleges such as Case Western Reserve University, Denison, Goucher College, and Lawrence.

David Hahn performs with Bexley High School’s Vocal Ensemble and Marching Band. He is interested in studying chemistry at his first choice school, St. Olaf College, or Princeton University. His parents are Victor and Margaret Hahn.

Graham Horn is a key player in Bexley’s Theatre Arts program whose main areas of interest are history and political science; he is applying to Yale, Columbia, New York University, and Northwestern. His parents are David Horn and Victoria Powers.

Erin Kellogg is daughter of John and Kim Kellogg. She is President of Women's Chorale and Treasurer of Key Club. With academic interests in international relations as well as writing and literature, Ms. Kellogg is considering several schools, including American University, Johns Hopkins and The College of William and Mary.

Matthew Kirschner's parents are Lawrence and Evelyn Kirschner. He is considering applying to Princeton University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study math and physical sciences.

Nathaniel Pelz is the son of Jonathan and Elaine Pelz. The areas of study in which he is interested are psychology and music. Schools he may apply to are Tufts, Yale, Stanford and Washington University. “I have a longer school list than this, but we don't know yet which will remain on the list,” he said.

Jesse Vogel, the son of Steve Vogel and Jane Henderson, is a co-editor of The Torch this year. “I'm interested in studying history, English or politics,” he noted. “I'm looking at a lot of small, liberal-arts type schools.”

Brian Yost is interested in studying Mechanical Engineering at either Stanford, Northwestern, Drexel or The Ohio State University. “I'm probably applying to more schools, but these are a good representative mix,” he said. His parents are Nathan and Susan Yost.

“This is a particularly talented senior class, even by Bexley standards,” commented BHS Principal John Kellogg. “What I appreciate most about this group of students is their approach to school and other responsibilities. Aside from their academic talent, they contribute to Bexley High School through athletic and extra-curricular programs and they are strong leaders.”

 

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