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East's Isobel McGivney is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist
Each year, about 1.5 million high school students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program. High School students who meet published requirements enter by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, usually as juniors.
Of the 1.5 million entrants, about 50,000 with the highest PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index scores qualify for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program as either Commended Students or Semifinalists.
From the pool of just 16,000 Semifinalists, East High School Senior Isobel McGivney was selected as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist.
From that Finalist group, scholars will be selected based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments, with his or her academic record, information about the school's curriculum and grading system, PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index score, the high school official's written recommendation, information about the student's activities and leadership, and the Finalist's own essay taken into consideration.
“Being a National Merit Scholar would be an immense honor,” said Isobel, a 2021 Boettcher Scholarship Semifinalist. “Along with the scholarship itself, the achievement presents a multitude of academic and career opportunities. I hope this opportunity also brings some well-deserved recognition to East High School and Pueblo.”
At East, Isobel has made it a point to successfully balance academics and activities.
“I have been involved in Knowledge Bowl for four years, and have helped the team to qualify for the state meet every year so far,” Isobel said. “This year, I am the team captain. I also have participated in Speech and Debate three years, qualifying for and participating in the state meet once.”
Isobel has been active in East’s thriving music program, participating in orchestra and choir for two years. In 2020, she was a member of the All State Choir.
Isobel also has been part of National Honor Society and Girls Cabinet for two years, and plans to again compete in track.
“Throughout high school, I have participated in sports, music, academic competitions, and service activities, while still maintaining high grades in all my classes and my responsibilities at home,” Isobel added. “My International Baccalaureate education has prepared me well for standardized tests, and my PSAT score was high enough that I was named a National Merit Semifinalist.
“After qualifying as a Semifinalist, I put dedicated work into the application and waited a while, and now I'm a finalist!”
Although she plans to study math, and perhaps astrophysics or planetary science in college, Isobel said she is “still waiting on admission decisions from colleges, so I do not yet know where I will attend.”
East Principal Andy Clementi has high praise for Isobel.
“Izzy is the epitome of an ‘all-around’ student,” Principal Clementi said. “Her combination of intelligence and multiple talents is undoubtedly impressive. Pair all of that with her presence and personality and you have one of the top students to have walked our halls.”