We are incredibly proud to recognize Thomas Hays, a 2024 National Merit Scholar . This prestigious distinction places him among the nation's top 0.5% of high school students based on their performance on the PSAT in 11th grade.
To achieve National Merit Finalist status, students undergo a rigorous selection process. They must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement through strong transcripts, outstanding SAT scores, and a commitment to challenging coursework. Additionally, finalists showcase their leadership and well-roundedness through recommendations and evidence of excellence in extracurricular activities.
Thomas exemplifies these qualities and has been awarded a National Merit Scholarship, an honor bestowed upon only about 7,250 students from a pool of 1.5 million applicants nationwide. This highly competitive scholarship program recognizes the most talented and dedicated high school students in the country.
Thomas's academic journey continues next fall at Michigan State University, where he will pursue a double major in Physics and Advanced Mathematics. Beyond academics, his passion for research has earned him a paid position as a Professorial Assistant at MSU. He will be contributing to cutting-edge research at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, the National Lab on campus that houses a powerful particle accelerator.
With his sights set on a PhD in plasma physics, Thomas aspires to make a significant contribution to the field of nuclear fusion. His research will focus on developing clean energy solutions, ultimately aiming to make commercially viable fusion a reality.
By recognizing Thomas's accomplishment, we celebrate the exceptional talent and dedication present within our student body as well as the dedication and talent of our teaching body. His commitment to academic excellence and his passion for research will represent Napoleon well as he continues in his education.