Eighth District Five Student Receives National Merit Scholarship

IRMO, SC – A Lexington-Richland School District Five student has been awarded a college-sponsored National Merit Scholarship this month, becoming the eighth in the district to earn this year’s prestigious designation.

Dutch Fork High School graduate Seth Grosse joins seven others from District Five receiving this year’s awards. Other 2014 National Merit Scholars from the district include: Dutch Fork High School’s Jacob Baltzegar, Olivia Blair, Caleb Thomas, Tulsi Patel and Glenn Bertram. Chapin High School’s William Haycox and Irmo High School’s Rachel Catalano also have earned National Merit Scholarships.

District Five Chief Instructional Officer Dr. Christina Melton said, “Academic success is a collaborative partnership between our families, our staff, and the determined commitments of our students. On behalf of the entire instructional staff, I’d like to extend our congratulations to Seth and to all our National Merit Scholars.”

The July 14 college-sponsored National Merit Scholarship announcement is the fourth of its kind this year by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The not-for-profit group previously named winners of its college-sponsored awards in May. Corporate-sponsored awards were announced on April 23 and recipients of its National Merit $2,500 Scholarships were named on May 7.

For Grosse, the summer announcement was welcomed as he prepares to attend the College of Charleston this fall. “I am proud and honored to become a National Merit Scholar. I am looking forward to attending the College of Charleston, where I plan on majoring in marketing and art,” he said.

The National Merit Scholarship recipients are chosen by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors. The Scholars were judged on a combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Nationwide, more than 7,600 National Merit Scholars were named this year.

District Five Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hefner said, “We are thrilled to have Seth join our other National Merit Scholarship recipients. Our district prides itself in preparing students for their next level of education and beyond, and we know these graduates will have bright futures and make District Five proud.”