(SPS) -- Two Sapulpa High School seniors – Ruby Fargo and Alexa Farris – have been named semifinalists in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship competition.
Fargo and Farris received the prestigious honor based on their performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). National Merit Semifinalists represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.
Alexa Farris, left, is pictured with Ruby Fargo, far right, and Sapulpa High School Principal Seth Shibley. Shibley says SHS has not had a National Merit Seminfinalist in several years.
“We are so proud of Ruby and Alexa for this outstanding achievement,” said Sapulpa Superintendent Rob Armstrong. “Their commitment to hard work is certainly paying off, and they each have a very bright future ahead of them.”
Both young women take rigorous academic courses and are busy members of Sapulpa Bands and Band Leadership.
Alexa Farris is the daughter of Joy Farris and Jason and Heather Farris. She plays the alto saxophone, achieving ones in both ensemble and solo. She intends to major in psychology at college.
Ruby Fargo is the daughter of Shannon and Cherry Fargo. She has earned academic and band letters and plays the baritone saxophone. She plans to pursue environmental science upon graduation from Sapulpa High School.
The National Merit Scholarship Program selected approximately 16,000 students nationwide, including 88 in Green Country. These gifted seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million that will be offered next spring.
Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level, including writing an essay, submitting a detailed scholarship application, earning SAT or ACT scores that confirm performance on the qualifying test, and obtaining recommendation by a high school official.
National Merit Finalists will be announced in February.
Finalists will compete for three types of National Merit Scholarships: 2,500 National Merit® $2500 Scholarships, 1,000 corporate-sponsored awards, and 4,000 college-sponsored awards for Finalists who will attend the sponsor institution. Scholarship winners will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July.