By Shirley Shuman
Owen McCallister, a senior at Braxton County High School, recently learned that he has been named a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship program. This designation goes to selected individuals among those who took the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test which serves as the first screening of the entrants. BCHS Guidance Counselor Crystal Spaur emphasized that being named a semifinalist, considering the high number of students throughout the nation who take the PSAT yearly, “is definitely an honor.”
Although he was “surprised” at the honor, McCallister indicated that he will definitely complete the necessary work to be considered as a finalist. Everything from his GPA of 5.0 to his activities in school and out supports the probability of his being chosen. The son of Michelle and Allen Shaver, he has played varsity soccer for three years, was in the band and ran track three years. McCallister was also a member of the school’s Academic Showdown Team.
Outside activities include those associated with his church. He is a part of the youth praise team and, along with other members of the church, has worked “to help people who need help of various kinds.” He also volunteers at Mountaineer Food Bank once or twice a month. In his spare time, the young man likes to play the guitar, listen to music, and “hang out” with his family.
McCallister plans to attend Marshall University, where he will major in biology and/or biochemistry as an undergraduate. Following that, he will enter medical school to pursue a degree in general surgery.
Over 16,000 students from throughout the United States qualified as semifinalists after taking the 2023 qualifying test. Each state’s number of semifinalists depends upon the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors. According to information provided by the NMS Corporation, “About 95 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit scholarship.”
To qualify to become a finalist, the semifinalist along with a high-school official is required to complete a detailed scholarship application. This application must include the semifinalist’s academic record and information on the individual’s participation in both school and community activities, along with proof of the applicant’s leadership qualities. The applicant must also earn SAT or ACT scores high enough to corroborate the student’s earlier performance on the PSAT. The student must also write an essay, and all of this must be endorsed by the high school official. Semifinalists will learn in February 2025 whether they have been selected as finalists. From that group, recipients of National Merit Scholarships will be selected.