11 USN students named National Merit Semifinalists
The National Merit Scholarship Program honors seniors whose PSAT scores show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Congratulations to seniors Collin Chan, Ophelia Cherry-Pulay, Daniel Guo, Caroline Keiper, Alex Lara, Sam Luffman, Eliza Nichols, Rohan Ramachandran, Ellie Rothman, Saul Sharfstein, and Kati Tong for this honor.
By Ian Dinkins, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced the names of semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, among them 11 University School of Nashville students.
Director Amani Reed, Head of High School Chai Reddy, and Director of College Counseling Aaron Fulk recognized seniors Collin Chan, Ophelia Cherry-Pulay, Daniel Guo, Caroline Keiper, Alex Lara, Sam Luffman, Eliza Nichols, Rohan Ramachandran, Ellie Rothman, Saul Sharfstein, and Kati Tong during a meeting on Wednesday, September 11 for their 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test scores.
They represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and are among the highest-scoring PSAT entrants in Tennessee.
These students have an opportunity to continue in the competition for 6,870 National Merit Scholarships, which will be awarded in spring 2025. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must submit a detailed scholarship application and essay to provide information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record.
NMSC is a nonprofit organization established in 1955 to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC and by approximately 340 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence. It has yet to announce Commended students.
Students in grades 5-8 and their families can take USN Evening Class 702: Mah and Pah Jong and Me to learn to play a board game together while benefiting USN's need-based scholarship endowment.
The Helen Meador Summer International Fellowship funded a summer of professional development in South America for Lower School Naturalist Carrie Riley. Through this profound experience, she said she plans to bring these lessons into her teaching, grounding her voice in wonder, joy, and a commitment to protecting the natural world, which she loves.
The impact of USN’s Art Department is not confined to art studios in the Christine Slayden Tibbott Center. Students often engage with art in ways that transcend traditional classroom learning, such as at the opening reception for artist Yanira Vissepó's “Fantastical Views.”
The Tigers have come back strong after time away on retreats & a holiday weekend. While golf is nearing the end of its season, cross country and mountain biking are still at the beginning. Both teams are heading away to races this weekend. Girls soccer and volleyball are about halfway through their regular season competition, both teams with exciting district wins and more games to be played determining their standings for post season competition.
Please join us at our home volleyball games Thursday, September 17, where our teams and school community will come together to honor the legacy of late Fitness Center Director William B. Scott. There will be space to share memories, be in community with one another, and remember a beloved member of the USN community. We hope to see you all there.
Our Middle School teams have been crushing the courts this week. With strong performances by all volleyball teams and wins for both boys and girls tennis, the Tigers aren’t slowing down as they reach the midpoint of their seasons. Mountain biking will hit the trails for race No. 2 this weekend, and cross country runners crushed their first home meet.
Please join us at our home High School volleyball games on Thursday, September 17 in the Sperling Gym, where our teams and school community will come together to honor the legacy of late Fitness Center Director William B. Scott. There will be space to share memories, be in community with one another, and remember a beloved member of the USN community. We hope to see you all there.
The Mountain bike team began its 13th season as it almost always does, with anticipation high and mindful of the high heat on the trails on the banks of the Duck River at Chickasaw Trace park outside of Columbia, TN. Over 650 mountain bikers in grades 5-12 from across the state competed at this first race of the NICA-TICL season.
USN Mission: University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.