Chase Renick with Tony Jarvis, MHS principal
Chase Renick, Murray High School senior, has been named as a Semifinalist in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program
Renick joins the approximate 16,000 Semifinalists named by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million offered next spring.
Renick, a junior at Murray High School, earned a 36, the highest possible ACT composite score. Renick prepped for the ACT through the ACT Prep Book, and the Murray High School Google Classroom ACT Boot Camp, earning the perfect score after two prior scores of 33 and 35.
A member of the MHS Boys soccer Team, Academic Team, FBLA, and Chess Team, Renick is undecided on college choice, but wants to pursue a Mathematics degree. A member of the Murray High School 30+ Club, implemented in 2019, recognizing students who have achieved a 30 or above on the ACT. Renick is the first MHS student to score a perfect 36 since the implementation of the 30 + club.
To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and more than half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 400 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.
Over 1.5 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2019 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 a high school official 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, and write an essay.
From the approximate 16,000 finalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. Merit Scholar designees are chosen based on their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.
Since 1974, 41 MHS students have been named National Merit Finalists.
Renick is the son of Dan and Angel Renick, Murray. #murrayschools