VOL. XXIV, NO. 7
APRIL 27, 1983
Pofahl qualifies as scholar finalist
"All through high school, I've had a really good time. Not just in school, but socially, at parties ...I think that I did pretty well," said Matt Pofahl '83, Maine West's National Merit Scholar Finalist.
Matt explained, "I was able to balance my time ...It was more of a challenge than anything else."
Matt is a member of National Honor Society, a member of Math Club and is taking four advanced placement classes; math, English, chemistry, and European History. Matt received a five out of five possible points on the AP United States History exam.
Matt will receive a $2000 scholarship to any American college because of this award.
"It's more than the money," he said. "It's a psychological boost being known as one of the 'top students' in the nation."
More than a good score is needed to be a Scholar Finalist, Matt explained, "When I took the PSAT last year, I scored really well. At the time I thought all they did was look at your score and you're a Scholar Finalist ...But that isn't it they go over your whole high school record and see what you've done."
Matt explained, "I was able to balance my time ...It was more of a challenge than anything else."
Matt is a member of National Honor Society, a member of Math Club and is taking four advanced placement classes; math, English, chemistry, and European History. Matt received a five out of five possible points on the AP United States History exam.
Matt will receive a $2000 scholarship to any American college because of this award.
"It's more than the money," he said. "It's a psychological boost being known as one of the 'top students' in the nation."
More than a good score is needed to be a Scholar Finalist, Matt explained, "When I took the PSAT last year, I scored really well. At the time I thought all they did was look at your score and you're a Scholar Finalist ...But that isn't it they go over your whole high school record and see what you've done."
When Matt was a freshman, he moved to South Carolina. "When I took my placement tests, I was put in every accelerated class I could get. Then I moved down South, and I wasn't in accelerated classes the first year. But, in my sophomore year I got in the accelerated program and I've been in it ever since."
When he was in South Carolina, he was involved in Political Science Club, Math Club, Chess Team and the Varsity Wrestling Team.
Matt plans to attend the University of Chicago but hasn't made his mind up yet about his profession.
"I think I want to work for the CIA, FBI or be in diplomacy," he said, "Everyone dreams of being famous. I think that the best way to become famous is to work for the government where you're actually controlling things, you can have a much larger effect this way." Would studying more help?
"Sometimes I think that if I studied really hard I could be smarter, but then I sometimes think if I studied really hard I would go crazy," explained Matt, "I think that I have pretty much hit the perfect balance ...It's enough to lighten the load of classes, but not enough to totally forget everything."
When he was in South Carolina, he was involved in Political Science Club, Math Club, Chess Team and the Varsity Wrestling Team.
Matt plans to attend the University of Chicago but hasn't made his mind up yet about his profession.
"I think I want to work for the CIA, FBI or be in diplomacy," he said, "Everyone dreams of being famous. I think that the best way to become famous is to work for the government where you're actually controlling things, you can have a much larger effect this way." Would studying more help?
"Sometimes I think that if I studied really hard I could be smarter, but then I sometimes think if I studied really hard I would go crazy," explained Matt, "I think that I have pretty much hit the perfect balance ...It's enough to lighten the load of classes, but not enough to totally forget everything."
