OPSB.net - OPHS Student Named National Merit Semifinalist

Zackary Knott, a senior at Ouachita Parish High School, has been named a National Merit Semifinalist by officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, an honor placing him among the nation’s top U.S. high school students. To qualify for semifinalist status, students took the 2006 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of over 1.4 million program entrants. Semifinalists are the highest scorers on the qualifying test in each of the 50 states and represent less than 1 percent of each state's high school seniors.

Zackary now has an opportunity to continue in competition for 8,200 Merit Scholarships worth $34 million. About 90 percent of semifinalists become finalists, and about half of finalists will be selected as Merit Scholarship winners. Merit Scholarship winners will be announced between March and June 2008.

Zackary is the son of Steve and Janet Knott of Monroe. He is a section leader in the Pride of Ouachita Marching Band, captain of the academic quiz bowl team, and vice president of OPHS’s National Honor Society. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA and earned a 34 on his ACT.