Hard work and a solid education earned in the Williamsport Area School District is what three Williamsport Area High School students are crediting for their recent landmark academic accomplishments that only a limited number of students experience across the country.
Two seniors have been named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program, and one junior has earned an unprecedented perfect score of 2400 on his SAT tests earlier this winter.
Peter Johnson and Brandon Route, both 17, are among some 15,000 students from across the nation who learned in February of their advancement to the National Merit finalist slot, and remain in the running to become National Merit Scholars.
Article Photos
PHOTO PROVIDED
From left are high school Head Principal Michael Reed, seniors Peter Johnson and Brandon Route, and Superintendent Dr. Kathleen R. Kelley.
Finalist numbers are whittled down from the 1.5 million students nationwide who annually participate in the competitive scholarship program by taking the preliminary SAT, which measures reading, math-problem solving and writing skills.
If they achieve qualifying scores, the students must then meet a number of requirements to rise through the ranks, such as being a college-bound student and maintaining a consistent record of "very high academic performance in all grades nine through 12 and in any college coursework taken," according to the program's website.
Between now and June, about 8,300 of the 15,000 finalists will be named National Merit Scholars, and be considered for upwards of $2,500 in college scholarships.
The National Merit Scholarship Program has been in existence since 1955, and has honored celebrities such as Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
Johnson is the son of Phil and Christine Johnson. He was recently accepted to Princeton University where he plans to major in computer science and minor in neuroscience, aspiring to work in the field of artificial intelligence or prosthetics.
In addition to being a National Merit finalist, Johnson was also named as a candidate for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program and concertmaster for both the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 8 and WAHS orchestras.
At WAHS, he's involved with Model U.N., Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), tennis and the Cherry and White.
For Route, the son of Ricky and Denise Route, becoming a National Merit finalist is proof that his hard work "has turned into something I can use."
"It was really exciting to know that this opportunity has been given to me," Route said.
Route plans to attend either the University of Pittsburgh or the University of Toronto to study pharmacy. At the high school, he's involved with the symphony orchestra, choir and GQ.
While college may be a year-and-a-half away for junior Daniel Ma, the 16-year-old has his eyes set on Yale University or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology - a collegiate focus for which he started preparing about four years ago by taking the SAT.
This winter, Ma learned he earned a combined perfect score of 2400 - an 800 on the SAT subject tests and 1600 on the SAT exam. The score is no small feat, and one that has placed the junior in a small pool of only 384 students across the nation who hit that mark.
"It feels good. I was kind of surprised I did so well. I was happy, of course. I just want to get into a good college, and a college of my choice," Ma said, who is considering a degree in engineering.
In addition to preparing with practice tests, Ma said he also took the SAT in seventh and eighth grade. No stranger to high marks, he earned a 1920 and 2050, respectively, during those two middle school years.
"This year, I started a month or two before the test (to prepare)," Ma said, "and more heavily as it got closer."
The most difficult part of the test, he said, was the essay, as "I didn't know what to expect of the prompt, but it all worked out."
Ma is the son of Wancang Ma and Aiguo Chen, and is involved with the WAHS Orchestra, tennis, FBLA, the Cherry and White and Model U.N.
"When I learned his score, my first reaction was that we made the right choice by living in this school district," said Wancang, Daniel's father. "Daniel started taking mathematics at the high school as a fifth-grader. Each morning, I took him to the high school and the school district provided transportation for him to Round Hills or Lycoming Valley after his class. I do not think many other districts would do the same."
"I strongly believe that academics are the top priority for any education institution," Wancang added. "He certainly did what I always ask him to do, 'Try your best!' Daniel is lucky to have had so many excellent teachers and academic advisers. Without their hard work and help, this would not be possible."
When asked of their experiences in the district as a student, each of the three quickly responded that it's been positive, and one that has encouraged them and allowed them to succeed and gain experience in areas not offered anywhere else in the region.
"I've had great teachers," Ma said. "I've had good preparation with solid course work. The learning environment is great."
Johnson said the high school has provided him with a menu of offerings of which to take advantage that have led him to where he is today, and what it's leading him toward.
"It's nice living in a big district," he said. "You're able to go outside your comfort zone."
For Route: "I'm really happy with the school district - the opportunities, for one. There is more here than what's offered in most high schools."
Described as "extraordinary student leaders," Head Principal Michael Reed said each of the three is "always looking to improve himself and our community."
"They are solution- and system-oriented," Reed said. "Each embraces challenges that will stretch personal growth and still makes time to be heavily involved in countless leadership and service-based activities."
"We are proud to have two National Merit finalists and a student who achieved a perfect score on the SAT," said Superintendent Dr. Kathleen R. Kelley. "We congratulate them on their academic accomplishments and wish them all the best for their future professional and personal endeavors."
Hard work and a solid education earned in the Williamsport Area School District is what three Williamsport Area High School students are crediting for their recent landmark academic accomplishments that only a limited number of students experience across the country.
Two seniors have been named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program, and one junior has earned an unprecedented perfect score of 2400 on his SAT tests earlier this winter.
Peter Johnson and Brandon Route, both 17, are among some 15,000 students from across the nation who learned in February of their advancement to the National Merit finalist slot, and remain in the running to become National Merit Scholars.
Finalist numbers are whittled down from the 1.5 million students nationwide who annually participate in the competitive scholarship program by taking the preliminary SAT, which measures reading, math-problem solving and writing skills.
If they achieve qualifying scores, the students must then meet a number of requirements to rise through the ranks, such as being a college-bound student and maintaining a consistent record of "very high academic performance in all grades nine through 12 and in any college coursework taken," according to the program's website.
Between now and June, about 8,300 of the 15,000 finalists will be named National Merit Scholars, and be considered for upwards of $2,500 in college scholarships.
The National Merit Scholarship Program has been in existence since 1955, and has honored celebrities such as Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
Johnson is the son of Phil and Christine Johnson. He was recently accepted to Princeton University where he plans to major in computer science and minor in neuroscience, aspiring to work in the field of artificial intelligence or prosthetics.
In addition to being a National Merit finalist, Johnson was also named as a candidate for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program and concertmaster for both the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 8 and WAHS orchestras.
At WAHS, he's involved with Model U.N., Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), tennis and the Cherry and White.
For Route, the son of Ricky and Denise Route, becoming a National Merit finalist is proof that his hard work "has turned into something I can use."
"It was really exciting to know that this opportunity has been given to me," Route said.
Route plans to attend either the University of Pittsburgh or the University of Toronto to study pharmacy. At the high school, he's involved with the symphony orchestra, choir and GQ.
While college may be a year-and-a-half away for junior Daniel Ma, the 16-year-old has his eyes set on Yale University or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology - a collegiate focus for which he started preparing about four years ago by taking the SAT.
This winter, Ma learned he earned a combined perfect score of 2400 - an 800 on the SAT subject tests and 1600 on the SAT exam. The score is no small feat, and one that has placed the junior in a small pool of only 384 students across the nation who hit that mark.
"It feels good. I was kind of surprised I did so well. I was happy, of course. I just want to get into a good college, and a college of my choice," Ma said, who is considering a degree in engineering.
In addition to preparing with practice tests, Ma said he also took the SAT in seventh and eighth grade. No stranger to high marks, he earned a 1920 and 2050, respectively, during those two middle school years.
"This year, I started a month or two before the test (to prepare)," Ma said, "and more heavily as it got closer."
The most difficult part of the test, he said, was the essay, as "I didn't know what to expect of the prompt, but it all worked out."
Ma is the son of Wancang Ma and Aiguo Chen, and is involved with the WAHS Orchestra, tennis, FBLA, the Cherry and White and Model U.N.
"When I learned his score, my first reaction was that we made the right choice by living in this school district," said Wancang, Daniel's father. "Daniel started taking mathematics at the high school as a fifth-grader. Each morning, I took him to the high school and the school district provided transportation for him to Round Hills or Lycoming Valley after his class. I do not think many other districts would do the same."
"I strongly believe that academics are the top priority for any education institution," Wancang added. "He certainly did what I always ask him to do, 'Try your best!' Daniel is lucky to have had so many excellent teachers and academic advisers. Without their hard work and help, this would not be possible."
When asked of their experiences in the district as a student, each of the three quickly responded that it's been positive, and one that has encouraged them and allowed them to succeed and gain experience in areas not offered anywhere else in the region.
"I've had great teachers," Ma said. "I've had good preparation with solid course work. The learning environment is great."
Johnson said the high school has provided him with a menu of offerings of which to take advantage that have led him to where he is today, and what it's leading him toward.
"It's nice living in a big district," he said. "You're able to go outside your comfort zone."
For Route: "I'm really happy with the school district - the opportunities, for one. There is more here than what's offered in most high schools."
Described as "extraordinary student leaders," Head Principal Michael Reed said each of the three is "always looking to improve himself and our community."
"They are solution- and system-oriented," Reed said. "Each embraces challenges that will stretch personal growth and still makes time to be heavily involved in countless leadership and service-based activities."
"We are proud to have two National Merit finalists and a student who achieved a perfect score on the SAT," said Superintendent Dr. Kathleen R. Kelley. "We congratulate them on their academic accomplishments and wish them all the best for their future professional and personal endeavors."
