Seniors receive National Merit Scholarship

By Tamara Knell
Staff Writer

In recognition of their advanced scores on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test or Practice Scholastic Aptitude test, seniors Dianne Lee and Anne Monique Pace received the National Merit Scholarship on May 30 at the All Awards ceremony in the Costa auditorium during second period.

Pace and Lee received the award along with approximately 15,000 other participants throughout the country. The two advanced through the semifinal round, surpassing the seven other Mira Costa semifinalists: seniors Brett Buckstaff, Alec Lautanen, Prerana Poddar, Jack Rosenberg, Brian Sydow, Jane Tian and Brian Zukotynski.

“I am very proud of all the accomplishments made by these students,” Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale said. “They are doing a fine job representing our school on a national level.”

The process for becoming a finalist included writing a personal essay and filling out academic information, such as their grade point average and test scores. The National Merit Scholarship is worth $2,500 and will go toward Pace and Lee’s college tuition.

“It is really nice to have some extra money for college,” Lee said. “With all the expenses and tuition, this scholarship is really going to help.”

According to Dale, the only reason other schools have a higher number of National Merit scholars is because more of their students take the PSAT to begin with.

“The Mira Costa students are very intelligent, which is why I think we could win even more scholarships if more students decided to take the PSAT,” Dale said.

Pace is attending the University of Colombia in New York next year, and Lee will be attending Pomona College in Southern California.

“Pomona, even though not a lot of people know about it, is an amazing school that gives its students many opportunities through its unique organizations and personal attention.” Lee said. “I really loved the campus when I visited.”

Lee prepared for the PSAT by attending SAT summer sessions through an SAT academy. Pace took an over-the-summer course but studied mostly by herself.

“I really encourage everybody to take the PSAT and try for this scholarship,” Pace said. “I had no idea I was going to win. It felt incredible to be honored for all my hard work.”