Howell High School Student Named Commended Student in 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program
Posted on 09/30/2022
9/30/2022 - Mia Vlies, a senior at Howell High School, has been named a Commended Student in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. Vlies was presented with a Letter of Commendation from Howell High School and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) to honor his achievement. While Commended students will not continue in the 2023 competition for the National Merit Scholarship awards, they have placed in the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2023 competition by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
When Vlies learned of the honor, she said she was happy but also felt that it was coming after looking up the cut scores for the National Merit Scholarship program.
"Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success," commented a spokesperson for NMSC. "These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success."
"Nearly 1.5 million students completed the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, so to be among the top 50,000 students is an incredible achievement," said Jason Schrock, Howell High School principal. "I know everyone at Howell High School, and Howell Public Schools is very proud of Mia for this remarkable achievement."
After graduation, Vlies hopes to study international relations at the University of Michigan. She would also like to study abroad.
About the National Merit Scholarship Program
To participate in the National Merit Scholarship program, a student must take the PSAT/NMSQT and meet the program entry requirements. Of the more than 1.5 million entrants in the 2021 program, 50,000 students were named Commended Students, and 16,000 advanced as semifinalists.