Danielle
Matz
wins National Merit
Scholarship from
Michigan State
University
BY NICOLE TAFE
S
eneca Valley’s 2017 salutatorian and National Merit
Scholarship winner Danielle Matz has big plans for her
future.
The National Merit Scholarship program is an academic
competition for scholarships. To participate, students must take
the PSAT in their junior year of high school. The top scoring
students by state are notified as semi-finalists and must then
submit additional information including a recommendation from
their high school principal, a copy of their high school transcript
and their SAT scores. Student finalists are eligible for one of
the following scholarships: National Merit $2,500, corporate-
sponsored merit awards or college-sponsored merit awards.
Matz, 18, and daughter of Joseph and Debora Matz, identified
Michigan State University as her first choice to be considered
for their college-sponsored award. “I was very excited when I
received the scholarship and that it could be combined with
other scholarships,” says Matz. “Michigan State also awarded me
a merit recognition scholarship tied to the National Merit award
that includes room and board and an award for in-state tuition.”
Matz has been very involved in her high school years, both
at school and in the community. At Seneca Valley, she was a
member of the National Honors Society, Science Honors Society,
track and field, and co-founder/co-president of the chemistry
club. In the community, she logged more than 150 volunteer
hours at the Animal Rescue League and Wildlife Center, was a
Miracle League buddy and volunteered more than 50 hours at
UPMC Passavant.
Matz’s parents and older sister, Nicolette, are without a doubt
her mentors and inspiration. “They have given me support
and guidance throughout my entire life,” she says. “A few of my
teachers were also instrumental in helping me, including my
science teacher Mrs. Weston and Spanish teacher Senor Fraser.
Various coaches I worked with from an early age through my
high school track days also helped to teach me the importance of
teamwork, and the discipline required to focus and work hard to
achieve my goals.”
Matz’s parents couldn’t be more proud. “We are very grateful
and humbled by what Danielle has accomplished in so many
areas,” they say. As parents, the amount of time she has spent on
her volunteer activities stands out, since we know everything
she juggled to make time for many different charities and
organizations.”
Matz plans to double major in Animal Science and
Biochemistry at Michigan State. During her junior year at
Seneca Valley, she was selected for a program through BASF that
allowed her to spend two weeks doing research at the company’s
corporate Headquarters. This experience really piqued her
curiosity and desire to do more research. Volunteering at the
Wildlife Rescue and working at My Dogs Care Center exposed
Matz to different types of animals and has further driven her
passion for them. “My dream job is to become a Veterinarian,”
she says. “I love animals and hope that my dual degree will help
better educate me to focus on helping and improving the lives
and treatment of animals.”
Matz is looking forward to the endless opportunities a large
university provides and meeting new people from so many
different walks of life. She also was accepted into a Professorial
Assistantship program that will allow her to begin doing research
her first semester—and receive a stipend for doing it. MSU
will also provide her funds toward study abroad opportunities,
and she plans take advantage of seeing the world while working
toward her dreams. ■
Cranberry | Summer 2017 | icmags.com 47