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Four Seniors Named National Merit Semifinalists
Five Rockhurst High School seniors have been announced as National Merit Semifinalists. They are: Akhil Dasika, Jacob Metzner, Isaiah Moncrieffe, and Sam Nissen.
More than 1.5 million students entered the 2022 competition last school year by taking the 2020 PSAT, which serves as the initial screen for program entrants. Around 50,000 earned the highest index score to qualify for National Merit Scholarship Program recognition. Of those top students, approximately one-third, or about 16,000, are named as Semifinalists.
Looking forward to February, some 15,000 Semifinalists will be notified that they have been selected to Finalist standing.
Akhil Dasika on his National Merit Semifinalist selection:
"I feel that being selected as a National Merit Semifinalist is a recognition of hard work. I did not just take the test blind and do well. I had to practice and learn how to approach the test. I took practice tests and being selected as a Semifinalist just showed me that the work paid off.
More than 1.5 million students entered the 2022 competition last school year by taking the 2020 PSAT, which serves as the initial screen for program entrants. Around 50,000 earned the highest index score to qualify for National Merit Scholarship Program recognition. Of those top students, approximately one-third, or about 16,000, are named as Semifinalists.
Looking forward to February, some 15,000 Semifinalists will be notified that they have been selected to Finalist standing.
Akhil Dasika on his National Merit Semifinalist selection:
"I feel that being selected as a National Merit Semifinalist is a recognition of hard work. I did not just take the test blind and do well. I had to practice and learn how to approach the test. I took practice tests and being selected as a Semifinalist just showed me that the work paid off.
I have not yet selected a specific college to attend. I am currently trying to build my résumé and am planning to attend the best college that suits my interests. I currently wish to study some form of Computer Science and Business.
My favorite part about Rockhurst is the options that we have. It provides opportunities for us to explore our interests. There are dozens of clubs and other activities to participate in. We have a variety of different classes, and clubs allow us to explore interests that may not be available in class. I am personally part of the Robotics Club and Drone Club. The Robotics Club has worked through the challenges presented by COVID, while the Drone Club is in a rebuilding stage.
I am thrilled to have received this honor of being a National Merit Semifinalist, and I will continue to work to achieve more."
Jacob Metzner on his National Merit Semifinalist selection:
"To me, being selected as a National Merit Semifinalist shows that asking for help is one of the greatest tools you have. I had a lot of help along the way and am very grateful for all the love and support.
I plan to attend Creighton and go on to join their medical school after undergrad.
Being co-captain of the Swim Team has been just as challenging and rewarding as the academic spectrum of Rockhurst. It has helped me grow in areas such as patience and determination, as well as giving me an opportunity to work on my leadership skills."
Isaiah Moncrieffe on his National Merit Semifinalist selection:
"To me, being a National Merit Semifinalist is a great honor, as it shows that my work over the last few years has paid off. The selection means a lot to me and I’m very grateful to have received one.
Post-Rockhurst, I plan to go to college. I’m currently undecided on what school I’m going to attend. For my major, I’m planning to do a Pre-Law program and hopefully go to Law School. Long-term, I hope to be a practicing attorney.
My favorite things about Rockhurst are the co-curricular activities I’m involved in and the people I do them with. I’m involved with the Swim & Dive and Speech & Debate Teams, which are some of my favorite things about being at Rockhurst."
Sam Nissen on his National Merit Semifinalist selection:
"Being a National Merit Semifinalist is a huge deal to me. It feels good to be recognized after putting in a lot of work to get here, and I'm super blessed to be recognized as a Semifinalist. I'm thankful that Rockhurst has set me up for success so that I can have this achievement.
My post-Rockhurst plans are to go into Electrical Engineering in college. My top school is the Air Force Academy, but I am also looking into Arkansas, Purdue, MIT, Texas A&M, and Rice. If I go to the AFA, I would serve as an Air Force engineer for five years post-grad. If I end up at another school, I will probably go into Signal Processing and Communications.
My favorite thing about Rockhurst is that it has something for everyone, whether it be through classes, athletics, clubs, or anything else The Rock has to offer. I've really enjoyed both taking STEM classes at Rockhurst and participating in the various music programs. This year I am involved with Student Government Association (SGA) and with retreat work as a Kairos leader and a Freshman Retreat Co-Chair. I have also enjoyed participating in the photography program and taking pictures for sporting events.
I am super proud to be a student of Rockhurst. It has been one of the most formative and special experiences of my life. I hope that as we get close to graduating in May, all the other seniors appreciate The Rock as much as I do."
Jacob Metzner on his National Merit Semifinalist selection:
"To me, being selected as a National Merit Semifinalist shows that asking for help is one of the greatest tools you have. I had a lot of help along the way and am very grateful for all the love and support.
I plan to attend Creighton and go on to join their medical school after undergrad.
Being co-captain of the Swim Team has been just as challenging and rewarding as the academic spectrum of Rockhurst. It has helped me grow in areas such as patience and determination, as well as giving me an opportunity to work on my leadership skills."
Isaiah Moncrieffe on his National Merit Semifinalist selection:
"To me, being a National Merit Semifinalist is a great honor, as it shows that my work over the last few years has paid off. The selection means a lot to me and I’m very grateful to have received one.
Post-Rockhurst, I plan to go to college. I’m currently undecided on what school I’m going to attend. For my major, I’m planning to do a Pre-Law program and hopefully go to Law School. Long-term, I hope to be a practicing attorney.
My favorite things about Rockhurst are the co-curricular activities I’m involved in and the people I do them with. I’m involved with the Swim & Dive and Speech & Debate Teams, which are some of my favorite things about being at Rockhurst."
Sam Nissen on his National Merit Semifinalist selection:
"Being a National Merit Semifinalist is a huge deal to me. It feels good to be recognized after putting in a lot of work to get here, and I'm super blessed to be recognized as a Semifinalist. I'm thankful that Rockhurst has set me up for success so that I can have this achievement.
My post-Rockhurst plans are to go into Electrical Engineering in college. My top school is the Air Force Academy, but I am also looking into Arkansas, Purdue, MIT, Texas A&M, and Rice. If I go to the AFA, I would serve as an Air Force engineer for five years post-grad. If I end up at another school, I will probably go into Signal Processing and Communications.
My favorite thing about Rockhurst is that it has something for everyone, whether it be through classes, athletics, clubs, or anything else The Rock has to offer. I've really enjoyed both taking STEM classes at Rockhurst and participating in the various music programs. This year I am involved with Student Government Association (SGA) and with retreat work as a Kairos leader and a Freshman Retreat Co-Chair. I have also enjoyed participating in the photography program and taking pictures for sporting events.
I am super proud to be a student of Rockhurst. It has been one of the most formative and special experiences of my life. I hope that as we get close to graduating in May, all the other seniors appreciate The Rock as much as I do."
