Lafayette Student Named National Achievement Scholar Semifinalist

Lafayette High School senior Devin Powell in Wildwood is a Semifinalist in the National Achievement Scholarship Program. This program, which is conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, honors scholastically talented Black American youth, and provides scholarships to a substantial number of participants in the annual competitions. 

More than 160,000 students entered the 2013 National Achievement Scholarship Program when they took the 2011 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). 

Powell, a Ballwin resident, is one of approximately 1,600 students to be named a Semifinalist, according to a Rockwood School District announcement.

To advance to Finalist level, Semifinalists must present a record of high academic performance, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, write an essay, and earn SAT scores that confirm their PSAT/NMSQT performance.  In addition, the Semifinalist and a high school official must complete a detailed scholarship application in which they provide information about the student’s participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities and educational goals.  

Some 1,300 Semifinalists are expected to advance to Finalist level, stated the Rockwood announcement.