Article written by WJMH Media Senior Reporter Lilly Bergen

For the first time in five years, a senior from John Marshall High School is a Semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is nationwide and wants to recognize students for their academic success. Beginning in 1955, students have had the option to take another preliminary SAT that is National Merit qualifying. From there, the highest scores are entered into the competition.

Sixteen thousand Semifinalists are selected to then start an application process. One of those students being JM senior Sophie Cunningham.

Cunningham is involved in many academic programs like John Marshall Robotics and strings, chamber orchestra, Wheeling Youth Symphony, and a variety of AP and dual credit classes. This is exciting because the scholarship will help her accomplish her goals after high school.

"I was really excited because getting this scholarship means that I can go to the college that I want to go to in the future,” Cunningham explained. “Since it's out of state, I want to go to Purdue University for Mechanical Engineering. Without the potential to win this scholarship, I wouldn't be able to have a big goal of going there. Because this scholarship, if I win it, will cover a good chunk of my tuition."

However, being a Semifinalist can still give her incredible opportunities.