Corinth High Senior Named National Merit Semifinalist
A Corinth High National Merit semifinalist is carrying the Warriors’ name into one of the country’s most competitive academic scholarship contests. Senior Thomas Senf has been named a semifinalist in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program, the Corinth School District announced. The honor places him among roughly 16,000 seniors nationwide still in the running.
Semifinalists make up less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors and are the highest-scoring entrants in each state. More than 1.5 million juniors entered the program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT, which serves as the first screen for the competition.
What’s next for the Corinth High National Merit semifinalist
Senf will keep competing this school year for about 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million in total. Winners are typically announced in the spring.
He told the district the recognition meant a great deal to him. “I feel overjoyed,” Senf said, calling it “the most gratifying experience” to be recognized nationally and to have the support of the district’s staff.
A long list of achievements
The semifinalist honor tops an already packed resume. According to the Corinth School District, Senf:
- Earned the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) diploma with distinction
- Scored a 35 on the ACT, holds a 4.35 GPA and is ranked No. 1 in his class
- Is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America, the CHS Academic Team, Mu Alpha Theta, Junior Leadership of Alcorn and the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy
- Won first place in robotics at Northwest-Shoals Community College BEST Robotics and the South’s BEST qualifier after five years in the activity
- Qualified for FBLA nationals after placing first in the state in human resource management
- Serves as clarinet section leader in the CHS Band and has qualified twice for both the Mississippi State University and Ole Miss honor bands, as well as the Mid-South Honor Band
Outside the classroom, he is an Eagle Scout and former patrol leader, has been involved with Rotary for eight years and with Corinth Theatre-Arts for 12 years, and has competed in archery for six years. He also belongs to the school’s Environmental Club, C Club, Science Club and Historical Society, and spent a year in winter guard.
Plans for college and medicine
Senf plans to major in biology on a pre-medicine track, with a minor in psychology. The district said his dream school is the University of Vermont.
He credited his high school for preparing him. “Corinth High School has given me every opportunity I could ever ask for,” he said, pointing to leadership camps, community involvement and chances to compete at the state and national level.
Corinth High School congratulated Senf and wished him well as he continues in the National Merit competition this spring.
More Corinth school news
Corinth High students have had a busy fall. Read about the Mississippi Writers class trip to Rowan Oak and the school’s Alumnus of the Year honor.
Source: Corinth School District
