HCSD Proudly Presents Two National Merit Semifinalists

(September 23, 2024) - The Harrison County School District is proud to have two 2025 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists! Congratulations to Joshua Bee of West Harrison High and Konner Craven of Harrison Central High on being selected for this prestigious designation!
 
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program earlier this month. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.
 
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 approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.
 
Joshua scored 35 on his ACT and 1,400 on the PSAT. He is an active member of the WHHS National Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, Beta Club, MGCCC Phi Theta Kappa, and the acting president of the WHHS Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society. Based on his phenomenal PSAT score, Joshua has been named a National Recognition Scholar. As of the 1st Nine Weeks of his senior year, Joshua has been accepted to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi State University, and the University of Mississippi. He has also been contacted by numerous interested Ivy League colleges and universities throughout our country with very promising letters of intent.
 
Konner is the National Merit Semi-Finalist at HCHS. National Merit Semifinalists are the highest scorers on the PSAT in each of the 50 states, representing less than one percent of each state’s high school seniors. Konner will advance to the next stage of the competition and will have the opportunity to compete for over 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million.

We are incredibly proud of Konner and Joshua’s accomplishments and wish them both the best of luck at the next level of this program! National Merit Scholarship winners of 2025 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July.