Madison’s McIlvain a National Merit scholar
By Bobbi Mlynar (Contact)
Originally published 12:58 p.m., April 17, 2008
Updated 12:58 p.m., April 17, 2008
It has been a good week for Madison High School senior Joe McIlvain.
He was named a National Merit Scholar in an announcement on Wednesday and also has been chosen as one of 560 Presidential Scholars Program semifinalists.
He also was a member of the Madison High choir and bands that received “I” ratings in competitions held Wednesday.
Joe’s principal, Darrel Finch, said he was pleased, but not surprised, by the announcement. Finch described Joe as a dedicated student.
“Joe is an excellent student,” Finch said. “He’s wanting to learn rather than just learn — about history and government and so forth; he’s interested in learning many, many, many different subjects. The learning process is very important to him.”
Joe is one of 2,500 National Merit scholars who will receive $2,500 scholarships to the universities of their choice. He expects to attend Indiana University in Bloomington to study music engineering.
“It’s probably one of the best programs for that in the country. I’m really excited to do that,” Joe said this morning. “That’s what’s going to let me have a fulfilled life.”
Music engineering involves production and “helping to shape what the recorded version of the music is going to sound like,” Joe said.
Joe also participates in forensics and football.
He was selected from a group of 8,200 National merit finalists.
The Presidential Scholars, who will be chosen in May, will receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a ceremony in which they will receive medallions to commemorate their achievements. They will meet with government officials, educators, authors, musicians and scientists, according to a news release from the Presidential Scholars Office. Up to 141 students will receive the award this year.
The program was established by executive order of President Lyndon B. Johnson to honor the country’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors, the news release stated.
Eligibility is determined in two ways — exceptional scores on the College Board SAT or the ACT Assessment or artistic talent. The latter nominations are made through the National Foundation for Advancement of the Arts.
Semifinalists were chosen by a panel of educators after a review of students’ essays, self-assessments, descriptions of activities, school recommendations and school transcripts.
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