Provided by the Bristol Township School District:
Credit: Bristol Township School District
When Harry S. Truman High School Senior Kevin Villafane found out he won a National Merit Scholarship, he was so ecstatic he immediately ran outside to tell his father the exciting news.
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He was chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 finalists for the James E. Casey Scholarship, which is a National Merit $2500 Scholarship granted from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).
“I am so happy to be granted the James E. Casey Scholarship,” said Villafane who will attend Haverford College in the fall. “The money that I’ll get from this scholarship will be a big step in helping me with my future career plans of becoming a neurosurgeon. I really want to be able to help people and contribute research to the field.”
A committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors select the winners by reviewing their abilities, skills and accomplishments. They review a finalist’s academic record, information about the school’s curricula and grading system, PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index scores, an essay written by the finalist and the high school’s written recommendation.
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Truman’s Director of Counseling Rachel Zawisza, was honored to get to know Villafane during his four years at Truman and is eager to see what his future holds.
“I cannot think of a more deserving student to receive a scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation than Kevin Villafane,” said Zawisza.
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Before she wrote her recommendation letter in September, she asked Kevin if he felt his high school record was an accurate measure of his ability.
“Kevin’s response was that he did not believe numbers on a piece of paper can accurately measure a person’s potential. Rather, ability should be measured by the person’s eagerness to learn what he/she is passionate about. This statement speaks volumes about the type of student, learner and person he is,” said Zawisza.
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