WEST LINCOLN – It was an unsuspected award received by Colton Welch, a senior at West Lincoln Attendance Center who was recently offered to attend Yale University. The finalists for the National Merit Award were chosen from nearly 1.5 million students. Finalists were chosen by scores from participating in the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Generally, the test is taken during a student’s junior year in high school. Welch commends his parents for being supportive of his hard work. “I studied hard for it and took a lot of time reading”, said Welch. “I wasn’t really expecting it, but I was excited”, he said.

Semifinalists and finalists have the opportunity to apply for over $34 million dollars worth in National Merit Scholarships offered in the Spring of their senior year. Three other students from the area received the same honors along with Welch: Jordan Nettles & Christal Davis from Wesson and Emily Vaughn from Mississippi School of the Arts.

Along with National Merit, Colton Welch recently received first place, out of 234 students, in the Biology competition at the Mississippi Science & Math Tournament held at Mississippi College. Also, the West Lincoln quiz bowl team placed 2nd with all areas of science and math: members were Colton (captain), Tye Smith, LeKeith Ward, Jonah King.