PITTSBURGH—Shady Side Academy senior Caris Gagnon, from Highland Park, is one of 1,300 outstanding Black American high school seniors who were named finalists in the 51st annual National Achievement Scholarship Program. These academically talented students have the chance to win approximately 800 Achievement Scholarships worth about $2.5 million this spring.
Gagnon was among the 160,000 high school juniors who requested consideration in the National Achievement Scholarship Program when they took the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. A nationwide pool of more than 1,600 semifinalists was chosen in September 2014 on a regional representation basis. To advance to the finalist stage, semifinalists had to demonstrate an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, earn SAT scores that confirmed the qualifying test performance, and submit a detailed scholarship application that included an essay and information about participation and leadership in school and community activities.
All finalists will be considered for one of 700 single-payment National Achievement $2500 Scholarships. In addition, approximately 100 corporate-sponsored Achievement Scholarships will be offered to finalists who meet criteria specified by the grantor; many corporate-sponsored awards are renewable for up to four years.
The National Achievement Scholarship Program, conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, is a privately financed academic competition that recognizes and provides scholarships to academically promising Black students. To date, approximately 33,500 young men and women have received Achievement Scholarship awards worth more than $105 million.
Shady Side Academy is a nationally respected private school in Pittsburgh for boys and girls in grades pre-kindergarten through 12, with an optional boarding experience in high school. Three age-specific campuses with extraordinary resources, teachers who actively mentor, a forward-thinking curriculum, a diverse and inclusive community, and a legacy of alumni accomplishments all inspire Shady Side students to high achievement in academics, the arts and athletics, and to meaningful ambitions in life.
(Information provided by Shady Side Academy.)
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