By Rachel Mathys, Reporter
Seniors Brandon Stahl and Kayley McPhee were named commended students for their high scores on the PSAT and were honored at the school board meeting on Oct. 24.
“I was excited and proud for Kaneland High School,” Principal Chip Hickman said.
Many students take the test during their sophomore or junior years,though it’s not required.
The PSAT helps students prepare for taking the SAT, but it also allows students to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program for a chance to win scholarships.
It uses scores from critical reading, mathematics and writing sections to honor top students, some of whom can continue in the program for the chance to win a scholarship.
Out of the 3.5 million students who take the test each year, only about 34,000 high scores receive letters of commendation that recognize their achievement, and only 16,000 of those students move on to become semifinalists. Semifinalists go through an evaluation process, and 15,000 of those 16,000 will become finalists. Scholarship winners are chosen from the group of finalists, and many others will be awarded scholarships from universities and corporations.
While commended students do not advance and compete for scholarships as finalists, they do become candidates for scholarships from other groups.
“I smiled and I was happy,” Stahl said. “My work has been recognized.”