Q&A with National Merit Semi-Finalists

Jeremie Reese

1. How did you find out that you had been named a semi-finalist?
   A: “Gillian Lefevre was talking about the cut-off score at the Lemley-Memorial Tech campus, and I realized I qualified.”
2. How did you feel when you found out?
   A: “Y’Know I felt pretty good. It felt like I had taken a qualifying test and qualified.”
3. Was this a goal of yours?
   A: “It was, yes.”
4. What is the most exciting part of being named as a semi-finalist?
   A: “I get my picture put up, big and pretty in my school’s main hall,”
5. How did your family react?
   A: “They congratulated me with a hefty, ‘good job son.’”
6. What tips do you have for students who are hoping to one day become a semi-finalist?
   A: “Get more sleep than I did, I was falling asleep at the test.”

 

Mason Simmons

1. How did you find out that you had been named a semi-finalist?
   A: “I was called to a meeting with Mrs. Burns and Mrs. Carr. They told me.”
2. How did you feel when you found out?
   A: “I was exhilarated. Thoughts immediately raced through my head about next steps.”
3. Was this a goal of yours?
   A: “Yes, my freshman year was a lazy year for me, so my GPA will never look as good as my sophomore, junior, and senior year were. This will look that good.”
4. What is the most exciting part of being named as a finalist?
   A: “The prospect of a full waiver of tuition for 5 years is pretty nice.”
5. How did your family react?
   A: “They were very proud. My dad immediately started looking at scholarships and financial advantages.”
6. What tips do you have for students who are hoping to one day become a semi-finalist?
   A: “Practice! There is no better way to study for a test like the NMSQ than just practicing under that kind of pressure.”

 

Gillian LeFevre

1. How did you find out that you had been named a semi-finalist?
   A: “I was summoned to the principal’s office… Gasp! Totally thought I was in trouble, but I noticed other high-scorers walking in as well, and put two-and-two together.”
2. How did you feel when you found out?
   A: “I was stoked!”
3. Was this a goal of yours?
   A: “Absolutely.”
4. What is the most exciting part of being named as a semi-finalist?
   A: “The most rad part is just being a semi-finalist.”
5. How did your family react?
   A: “They were almost as excited as me, but far more proud.”
6. What tips do you have for students who are hoping to one day become a semi-finalist?
   A: “STUDY  + lots of coffee.”