Each year, the National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes exceptional academic talent nationwide. This prestigious competition offers students a chance to compete for scholarships that can make a real difference in their college journey. We're thrilled to announce that Lake Ridge Academy's very own Katie Vanderaar has been named a National Merit Scholarship Program Finalist!

Katie's achievement is a testament to her dedication and hard work. The journey begins with the PSAT/NMSQT, a qualifying test in junior year. From a pool of over 1.6 million students, NMSC identifies the top 50,000 scorers to move forward. The competition intensifies further, with only about 16,000 students advancing to Semifinalist standing based on a state-representative basis. These students then embark on a rigorous application process, showcasing their academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and potential for success through essays and transcripts.

Katie's exceptional performance on the PSAT and well-rounded application have placed her among the nation's elite scholars. She joins a distinguished group of approximately 15,000 Finalists competing for scholarship opportunities. By April, 7,250 winners will be selected to receive National Merit Scholarships.

The entire Lake Ridge Academy community congratulates Katie on this remarkable accomplishment! Her dedication and talent are truly inspiring.