LHS’s Grierson is National Merit Scholarship finalist

LHS’s Grierson is National Merit Scholarship finalist

LHS News is a presentation of Ludington High School in partnership with Mason County Press. 

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

LUDINGTON — Ludington High School senior Sophia Grierson recently found out that she has been selected as a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. Approximately 1.5 million high school students enter the program each year and 15,000 are selected as finalists. Of those, 7,250 will be selected as winners and will receive notification sometime between March and June. There are three types of scholarships awarded: National Merit $2,500 scholarship; corporate-sponsored scholarships; and college-sponsored scholarships. 

Sophia is the daughter of Dr. Joe and Kathy Grierson. She said the process for applying for the merit scholarship began her junior year when she took the PSAT college entrance exam. She received notification last fall that she was a semi-finalist. 

“This is a pretty big deal,” LHS Principal Dan Mesyar said. “I think in my 25-year career at Ludington Area Schools, there has only been one other person who has become a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship. Sophia is a student who exemplifies what it means to be an Oriole. She is one of our top academic students and also involved in a variety of extra-curricular activities.” 

Sophia is a member of the quiz bowl team, a cheerleader, member of the cross country and track teams, president of the National Honor Society, secretary of Rotary Interact and a member of the Community Foundation for Mason County Youth Advisory Council. 

“We are pretty proud of her accomplishments,” Sophia’s mother, Kathy, said. “Just to be a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship is an honor.” 

Sophia said she was shocked that she was named a finalist. 

“I’m proud of myself for this accomplishment. It’s been a lot of hard work,” she said. 

Sophia said she isn’t sure which college she is going to attend after high school. She said she is waiting for notification on scholarships. She plans to enter into a pre-medicine program. 

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