Written on 27 September 2016.

Stutzman Named National Merit Semifinalist

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Last October, about 1.6 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools took the 2015 PSAT, which served as the initial screening for the National Merit Scholarship program. The nationwide pool of National Merit Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.

Among students earning the distinction of National Merit Semifinalist is Woodlawn School senior Claire Stutzman. Daughter of Woodlawn faculty member, Bryan Stutzman, Claire is a recent addition to the Trailblazers, joining Woodlawn ahead of her junior year. Already a lifelong Girl Scout, Claire quickly seized new opportunities available to her at Woodlawn. Claire is a three-sport athlete, yearbook photo editor, and was co-producer of last year’s student play, Upstaged. She appreciates Woodlawn’s opportunities for open class discussion and the close relationships students forge with their teachers. Claire describes herself as driven, and her challenging class schedule supports that claim. Her current course load includes AP Calculus, AP Spanish Language, AP English Literature, AP Chemistry, AP US History, and Sociology.

Written on 17 February 2016.

Senior Named National Merit Finalist; Two Others Selected as Commended Scholars

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Woodlawn School senior Isabella “Bella” Jacoby, of Huntersville, has been named a Finalist in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. She is among the approximately 15,000 Finalists throughout the nation to be recognized for their exceptional academic promise. The NMSP also announced that two other Woodlawn seniors – Natalie Buechler of Charlotte, and Spencer Gazzaway of Davidson – have been selected as Commended Scholars.

About 1.5 million students in some 22,000 high schools enter the National Merit Scholarship competition annually when they take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). Commended Students do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, but often are candidates for Special Scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.

Bella is the daughter of Mr. Richard Jacoby and Dr. Maria Pelucio. Earlier this year, she also was selected for the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP), having scored in the top 2.5% among Hispanic and Latino PSAT/NMSQT takers in our region.

Bella personifies the well-rounded Woodlawn student. Last year at graduation, she was presented with the Achievement in the Sciences award. She’s a celebrated visual artist, and is passionate about sustainability and the outdoors; in fact, she is co-founder of the Woodlawn Outdoors Club. She also is a remarkable athlete. A member of the NCISAA 1A State Champion Woodlawn School girls soccer team, Bella also qualified to swim two individual races and two relay races at the 2015 NCISAA 1A/2A State Championships (placing eighth overall in the 100 butterfly and ninth overall in the 50 freestyle). She’s a member of this year’s varsity cross country team and is also listed on the Woodlawn Track & Field Honor Roll for her performances in the 400m, 800m, and 1600m runs, as well as the long jump.

To become a Finalist, Bella and Woodlawn School submitted a detailed scholarship application providing information about her academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. The Finalists will compete for about 7,400 merit scholarships worth about $32 million. Awards are made in the spring of 2016..