CCHS Senior Elizabeth Lanier Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
CCHS Senior Elizabeth Lanier Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Calloway County High School senior Elizabeth Lanier was recently named a Semifinalist in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. She is the daughter of Alan and Catherine Lanier.
Lanier attends The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Bowling Green on the campus of Western Kentucky University. She is one of fifteen students at The Gatton Academy to receive this national honor.
Lanier continues to be a standout member of the CCHS Academic Team coached by CCHS chemistry teacher Erica Gray.
"Elizabeth embodies all of the characteristics of a National Merit Scholar," said Gray. "As her coach for four years, I’ve had the opportunity to observe her approach to learning and studying. In addition to her natural academic gifts, Elizabeth has a tremendous work ethic. We are very proud of Elizabeth’s achievements and congratulate her on this well-earned accomplishment."
More than 1.3 million juniors entered the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as the initial screening of program entrants. From this list comes the nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, and includes the highest scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.
“We are incredibly proud of our scholars. Being recognized as National Merit Semi-Finalists is quite an accomplishment,” stated Dr. Lynette Breedlove, Director of The Gatton Academy. “We are grateful for the support they received from their sending school districts in preparing them for the PSAT/NMSQT and appreciate their continued partnerships.”
Of the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level. To become a Finalist, a Semifinalist and their school must submit a detailed scholarship application, providing information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout their high school career, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn ACT® and SAT® scores that confirm the Semifinalist’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.
Finalists will be announced in February, and all National Merit Scholarship winners for 2025 are selected from this group.