FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: DR. MARTIN W. SCHOPPMEYER, JR.

(479) 966.4930

Out of 1.5 million students from 22,000 high schools who took the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), 16 thousand National Merit Scholarship Semi Finalists were been named.  The National Merit Scholarship program has now determined which of the Semi-Finalist named in September met all requirements to advance to Finalist standing in the competition.  Of the 19 juniors at Haas Hall Academy who took the PSAT/NMSQT three (3), 16% of the senior class have qualified as National Merit Scholarship Finalists!

It is my distinct honor and privilege to announce Haas Hall Academy has three National Merit Scholarship Finalists for the 2009.2010 school year.  Their names are:

Josiah Foster, son of Laurie and Greg Foster of Fayetteville plans to attend Vanderbilt University, and major in Music Performance.

Brian Gauch, son of Dr. Susan and Dr. John Gauch of Fayetteville plans to attend Duke University, and major in Mechanical Engineering.

Mathew Heckmann, son of Ruth and Dr. Richard Heckmann of Fayetteville plans to attend Purdue University, and major in Mechanical Engineering.

Three types of National Merit Scholarship awards will be offered in the spring of 2010.  Every Finalist will compete for one of the 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholars that will be awarded on a state representational basis.  About 1,000 corporate-sponsored scholarships will be provided by approximately 270 corporations and business organizations for Finalists who meet their specified criteria, such as children of the grantor’s employees or residents of communities where sponsor plants or offices are located.  In addition, about 200 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 4,700 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for Finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.

Dr. Martin W. Schoppmeyer, Jr., Founder and Superintendent of Schools said, “These young men are quintessential scholars, the universities they have chosen will be very fortunate to have them as part of their student bodies.” 

Haas Hall Academy is an open-enrollment public charter high school located in Fayetteville.  In its six year history, Haas Hall Academy has had 5 National Merit Semifinalists and 5 National Merit Finalists.  Haas Hall Academy is recognized by U. S. News and World Report as one of the finest high schools in the nation.