VOL. XXVIII, NO. 1
OCTOBER 1, 1986
Eight West seniors merit
national test recognition
national test recognition
by Amy Sharman
Eight Maine West seniors, Keith Blue. Betty Huang. Andy Kotlinski, Ken Kroeker. Mike Miller, Sue Murphy, Kristin Schnell and Rob Sweet, qualify this year as National Merit Semi‑finalists.
The students recently found out about their achievement. Kristin comments, "I was surprised. I was even more surprised by how many students from West qualified."
Over one million students in the country take the PSAT/NMSQT test which measures verbal and math skills. The scores of the tests are ranked nationally and only the top one per cent qualify as semifinalists.
Maine West, in its history, has never had this many students qualify. As a district, there are a large number of qualifiers from each school: Maine South has four and Maine East has eleven.
Mr. Eric Edstrom, coordinator for the PSAT/NMSQT test, states, "For a school district, that's very good. It puts Maine West and Maine East in the top ten per cent of the country. Our students do very well on national tests, AP exams and scholastic aptitude tests. It says something for the teachers, the district and the parents of the students."
Mr. Edstrom attributes the success of test results to three factors. "First is the students themselves and how well they geared and prepared themselves for this examination. Their preparation is essential.
"Number two is that there's money they can gain. With the increase in tuition, parents and students are looking for ways to get these scholarships." Mr. Edstrom continues, "The third reason is that the faculty and programs have zeroed in on developing those skills which will help them be successful on their tests."
Now those semi‑finalists work to qualify as National Merit Finalists. Mr. Edstrom comments, "Normally about one to two per cent of the semi‑finalists become actual finalists depending on how much money is available. They take a number of factors into consideration." Kristin adds, "The National Merit Corporation now looks for what kind of a person you are and how you have helped out your community, church and school."
Eight Maine West seniors, Keith Blue. Betty Huang. Andy Kotlinski, Ken Kroeker. Mike Miller, Sue Murphy, Kristin Schnell and Rob Sweet, qualify this year as National Merit Semi‑finalists.
The students recently found out about their achievement. Kristin comments, "I was surprised. I was even more surprised by how many students from West qualified."
Over one million students in the country take the PSAT/NMSQT test which measures verbal and math skills. The scores of the tests are ranked nationally and only the top one per cent qualify as semifinalists.
Maine West, in its history, has never had this many students qualify. As a district, there are a large number of qualifiers from each school: Maine South has four and Maine East has eleven.
Mr. Eric Edstrom, coordinator for the PSAT/NMSQT test, states, "For a school district, that's very good. It puts Maine West and Maine East in the top ten per cent of the country. Our students do very well on national tests, AP exams and scholastic aptitude tests. It says something for the teachers, the district and the parents of the students."
Mr. Edstrom attributes the success of test results to three factors. "First is the students themselves and how well they geared and prepared themselves for this examination. Their preparation is essential.
"Number two is that there's money they can gain. With the increase in tuition, parents and students are looking for ways to get these scholarships." Mr. Edstrom continues, "The third reason is that the faculty and programs have zeroed in on developing those skills which will help them be successful on their tests."
Now those semi‑finalists work to qualify as National Merit Finalists. Mr. Edstrom comments, "Normally about one to two per cent of the semi‑finalists become actual finalists depending on how much money is available. They take a number of factors into consideration." Kristin adds, "The National Merit Corporation now looks for what kind of a person you are and how you have helped out your community, church and school."
Mr. Edstrom explains that the corporation looks at each semifinalist's grade point averages, recommendation and forms filled out by each. Money is awarded to those who are selected as finalists. Mike adds that "you can receive up to 60 to 80 thousand dollars if you become a Scholar."
Rob discusses his thoughts about those semi‑finalists striving to be chosen as finalists by saying, "I was happy we had so many (semi‑finalists from West), but I'm a little intimidated by the competition I'm going to get from my fellow students.
"The contest isn't over yet because only a small per cent of the semi‑finalists become National Merit Scholars. We still must write an autobiographical essay for the national competition. Even though we are going up against a nation of excellent writers, I am looking forward to this challenge. It promises to be fun."
However, universities and colleges also often give scholarships and special benefits to those who don't become finalists. Kristin states, "Being a semi‑finalist often brings offers from colleges which can turn into partial or even full scholarships."
"Being a semi‑finalist," adds Mr. Edstrom, "allows them to enter many of the highly competitive universities around the country, many of which often give scholarships."
Maine West and the district have instituted programs developed to prepare the students for these tests. West's study program has been in effect for about seven years and is the oldest in the district.
Kristin states that "through the years my English teacher's vocabulary tests have introduced me to the more infrequent words in the English language. That was a big help for the PSAT. The reading required for English classes helps introduce you to new vocabulary and helps with your speed and comprehension."
Math and English classes with good teachers also helped Mike prepare for the PSAT. He also took the preparation class which taught him what type of questions were on the test. Mike comments that "if you're willing to try, the classes are worthwhile and helpful."
Rob adds, "I think they've done an excellent job (preparing us), but it's still the students who get the scores."
Rob discusses his thoughts about those semi‑finalists striving to be chosen as finalists by saying, "I was happy we had so many (semi‑finalists from West), but I'm a little intimidated by the competition I'm going to get from my fellow students.
"The contest isn't over yet because only a small per cent of the semi‑finalists become National Merit Scholars. We still must write an autobiographical essay for the national competition. Even though we are going up against a nation of excellent writers, I am looking forward to this challenge. It promises to be fun."
However, universities and colleges also often give scholarships and special benefits to those who don't become finalists. Kristin states, "Being a semi‑finalist often brings offers from colleges which can turn into partial or even full scholarships."
"Being a semi‑finalist," adds Mr. Edstrom, "allows them to enter many of the highly competitive universities around the country, many of which often give scholarships."
Maine West and the district have instituted programs developed to prepare the students for these tests. West's study program has been in effect for about seven years and is the oldest in the district.
Kristin states that "through the years my English teacher's vocabulary tests have introduced me to the more infrequent words in the English language. That was a big help for the PSAT. The reading required for English classes helps introduce you to new vocabulary and helps with your speed and comprehension."
Math and English classes with good teachers also helped Mike prepare for the PSAT. He also took the preparation class which taught him what type of questions were on the test. Mike comments that "if you're willing to try, the classes are worthwhile and helpful."
Rob adds, "I think they've done an excellent job (preparing us), but it's still the students who get the scores."
