![National Merit Finalists Announced]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1601920281/saintxavier/b5kcyxwq2xyywj8h0nej/National_Merit.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1601920281/saintxavier/b5kcyxwq2xyywj8h0nej/National_Merit.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1601920281/saintxavier/b5kcyxwq2xyywj8h0nej/National_Merit.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1601920281/saintxavier/b5kcyxwq2xyywj8h0nej/National_Merit.jpg","width":1200}])
Congratulations to our seven seniors who have been named National Merit finalists! These young men will now be considered for scholarships offered by corporations and universities/colleges.
St. X congratulates the following seniors: Charles Brashear, Justin Burch, Hillis Burns, Carson Ching, Andrew Frey, William Moeller, and Harrison Stropkay.
These seven Tigers hope to join the more than 450 St. X alumni who have earned that distinction since the inception of the National Merit Scholarship Program 66 years ago.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation was established in 1955. The goal of the National Merit Scholarship Program is to identify and honor the nation's scholastic champions and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence. Through this nationwide competition, National Merit Scholarships are awarded to program Finalists and Special Scholarships are awarded to other high-performing participants who meet one of the corporate sponsor's eligibility criteria.
Charles Brashear
Top Three Colleges: New York University, University of California, University of Southern California
Possible Majors: Business, Economics
Extracurricular Activities: Ryken Service Club, KUNA, National Honor Society, Hack Club, Student Activities Council
Most Significant Contribution to the Community: I volunteered at the inaugural St. X-Trinity joint mission trip.
Community Service: Eastern Kentucky mission trip, various projects for NHS
Justin Burch
Top Three Colleges: University of Louisville, University of Kentucky, and University of Alabama
Possible Majors: Finance, Economics, Engineering, Pre-med
Extracurricular Activities: Ryken Service Club, Ceramics Club, Peer Leaders, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society
Most Significant Contribution to the Community: I endeavor to help bring positivity into the lives of others and to encourage them to persevere, work harder, and excel further in their work, in addition to making an unceasing effort to cheer them up when they’re feeling down.
Community Service: Kentucky Harvest, Boy Scouts Eagle Scout Project, St. Albert the Great Youth Group
Hillis Burns
After Graduation: United States Air Force Academy
Possible Majors: I really enjoy Math, and I would love to pursue a career that could combine that with business. I'm considering Computer Science, Economics, Finance, and even Engineering.
Extracurricular Activities: Lacrosse Team, National Honor Society, Math Team, XBSS, Christian Awakening Retreat
Most Significant Contribution to the Community: I have done my best to be a positive role model for kids who are younger than me, whether holding the door open for people, or just trying to say hi to everyone in the hallway.
Community Service: Educational Justice, St. Agnes Food Pantry, St. X Blood Drive, assisted in building desks for classrooms at the West End School
Carson Ching
Top Three Colleges: Columbia, University of Chicago, Harvard
Possible Major: Astrophysics
Extracurricular Activities: Quick Recall/Academic Team, Math Team, History Club, French Club, Environmental Club, Liturgical Music Group, Chemistry Club, Spiritual Leadership Committee, Guitar Club
Most Significant Contribution to the Community: I have helped lead the Academic and Quick Recall Teams to many successful season.
Community Service: Tutor at the Francis Center, altar server at St. James Catholic Church, Feeding America, guitarist at St. Raphael Church
Andrew Frey
Top Three Colleges: Washington University in St. Louis, Xavier University, Michigan State University
Possible Majors: Business Analytics, Data Science
Extracurricular Activities: Football & Lacrosse Team, Economics and Investment Club, Governor’s Cup, Project Uplift
Most Significant Contribution to the Community: Being a part of the founding group for Project Uplift with Mr. Abell. We founded it to try and brighten up the school and lift morale during the pandemic.
Community Service: Special Olympics, Project Outreach, Little Sisters of the Poor
William Moeller
Top Three Colleges: University of Virginia, University of Miami (FL), Villanova
Possible Major: Engineering
Extracurricular Activities: Powerlifting Team, Math Team, German Club, Economics & Investment Club, National Honor Society
Most Significant Contribution to the Community: Being a straight-A student. I use my ability to learn quickly in order to help others learn. I tutor or help friends study without simply giving them the answers.
Community Service: Harbor House of Louisville, preparing meals at the Salvation Army, tutoring students, Dare to Care Food Bank
Harrison Stropkay
Top Three Colleges: University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, MIT
Possible Majors: Mathematics or Applied Math, Finance, Economics
Extracurricular Activities: Captain of the Swimming & Diving Team, Co-founder of St. X’s Hack Club, various Academic Teams, President of National Honor Society
Most Significant Contribution to the Community: Taught classes by myself with approximately 20 students each. This year, I taught math to a summer school class of 7th and 8th graders.
Community Service: Teaching at the West End School, Educational Justice, BookNook tutor
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