Two LSU Laboratory School Seniors Awarded National Merit Scholarships
May 08, 2024
BATON ROUGE – The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced Wednesday, May
8, that LSU Laboratory School seniors Samuel Adjei and Lucy Nguyen are among this
year’s National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners. Their outstanding academic achievements,
leadership qualities, and dedication to their studies have earned them this esteemed
recognition.
Samuel Adjei and Lucy Nguyen are among the select group of students nationwide to receive this honor, distinguishing themselves through their academic excellence and commitment to scholarly pursuits.
Principal Aimee Welch-James expressed her admiration for the students' achievements, stating, "We are incredibly proud of Samuel and Lucy for being named National Merit Scholarship winners. Their hard work, intellectual curiosity, and leadership within our school community have set them apart as exceptional scholars. This recognition is a testament to their dedication and the outstanding education provided by University Laboratory School."
Adjei will attend Dartmouth College in the fall and plans to major in Biomedical Engineering. Nguyen is attending Fordham University and plans to pursue a degree in Political Science.
“We are thrilled to see what the future holds for Samuel and Lucy and we know they will both make a mark on the world upon graduation.” Said Welch-James.
National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.
These scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the Finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.
This year’s National Merit Scholarship Program began in October 2022 when high school juniors took the PSAT/NMSQT, which served as an initial screen of program entrants.
Last fall, the highest-scoring participants in each state, representing less than one percent of the nation’s high school seniors, were named Semifinalists on a state-representational basis.
More than 16,000 Semifinalists had an opportunity to continue in the competition.
From the Semifinalist group, over 15,000 students met the very high academic standards and other requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. By the conclusion of the 2024 program, more than 6,870 Finalists will have earned the “Merit Scholar” title and received a total of nearly $26 million in college scholarships.
Samuel Adjei and Lucy Nguyen's achievement reflects not only their individual commitment to excellence but also the supportive environment and rigorous academic programs offered at the LSU Laboratory School.
About University Laboratory School
University Laboratory School is dedicated to fostering academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and personal growth in its students. With a focus on rigorous academics, innovative teaching methods, and a supportive learning community, the school prepares students for success in higher education and beyond.
About CHSE
The College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE) is a nationally accredited division of Louisiana State University. The college comprises the School of Education, the School of Information Studies, the School of Kinesiology, the School of Leadership & Human Resource Development, and the School of Social Work. CHSE has two model demonstration schools: the Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool, which enrolls birth to age four, and the University Laboratory School, which enrolls kindergarten through grade 12. The college also has four centers and institutes: the Early Childhood Education Institute, the Healthy Aging Research Center, the Leadership Development Institute, and the Social Research & Evaluation Center. The college is committed to achieving the highest standards in teaching, research, and service and improving quality of life across the lifespan.