This year, Blue Springs South boasts four National Merit Finalists along with five Commended Scholars. These select students had scores that placed in the top 5 percent on the PSAT qualifying test that was taken in the winter of their sophomore year.

Finalists from Blue Springs South include Henry Bahr, Marissa Bell, Alec Glascock, and Kelsey Trapp. Receiving “Finalist” status is something that happens for less than one percent of high school seniors across the country and is highly touted as one of the most prestigious honors a student can receive.

Bahr discussed his initial reaction when learning that he had received the distinction of being named a National Merit Finalist.

“The entire process is so long and so difficult, which also means that there is some predictability in the whole thing. I got my score back and at that point, I kind of knew what was going to happen from there. I found out that I had been named a semi-finalist and I knew that it was very possible from there,” Bahr said.

A combination of natural ability and hard work plays into being named a finalist. Glascock gave his advice for younger students that may be following in his footsteps.

“It isn’t necessarily about taking the hardest possible classes available to you. I’d say more than anything, it is important to apply yourself and give your all into everything you do.”

Becoming a National Merit Finalist provides those select students with a world of possibilities after high school. Bahr talked about the benefits he has received after being named a finalist in the class of 2018.

“When I was named a National Merit Finalist, the University of Missouri offered me a full-ride, so I will be going there next year to double major in math and chemical engineering. It wasn’t necessarily my first choice, but my entire family has gone there, and the financial aid was great, so it was the right place for me,” Bahr said.

Blue Springs South’s third finalist for the class of 2018 is Kelsey Trapp. Trapp discussed her reaction to being named a finalist as well as her future plans.

“I didn’t really have any one emotion when I found out. My older brother was named a finalist in 2016, so I was living up to that standard set by him. I plan to attend the University of Tulsa to pursue a degree in Biology,” Trapp said.

Marissa Bell, the fourth and final Blue Springs South student to be named as a National Merit Finalist, gave her advice to students who will travel on the same path throughout high school that she did.

“Honestly, just work hard and study. I took a few practice tests before the PSAT but only because my mom made me. In the end, taking those practice tests helped a ton and I’m really grateful for that,” Bell said.

The National Merit Commended Scholars are Alex Drake, Haider Cheema, Rushil Thakker, Andrew Self and Ethan Galloway.