Ipock was recognized at the Sept. 25
regular board meeting for his accomplishment.
MISD STUDENT NAMED
NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALIST
A and accomplishments without regard to gender,
race, ethnic origin or religious preference.
Phillip Ipock earned the distinction based on his
top score on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit
Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The panel that selects the finalists evaluate
the finalist’s academic record, information
about the school’s curricula and grading
system, two sets of test scores, the high
school official’s written recommendation,
information about the student’s activities
and leadership and the finalist’s essay.
Legacy High School senior is among the
less than 1 percent of high school students
in the country to be named a semifinalist in
the National Merit Scholarship Program.
National Merit Semifinalists have the
opportunity to continue in the competition
and earn thousands of dollars in scholarships
that will be offered in the spring.
The National Merit Scholarship Program
was founded in 1955 to identify and
honor scholastically talented American
youth and to encourage them to develop
their abilities to the fullest. This year
marks the 63rd year of the program.
Out of more than 1.6 million entrants, only
16,000 students are selected as National
Merit Semifinalists. In February, 15,000 of
those students will be named finalists.
“It’s very exciting. I’m really thankful for
everyone who helped me get here, especially
my parents,” said Ipock. “I prepared by doing a
lot of independent studying. I also worked with
a lot of prep books and had help from teachers.”
All winners of Merit Scholarship® awards
(Merit Scholar® designees) are chosen from
the finalist group based on their abilities, skills
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