Brianna Garcia Named as Prestigious National Merit Scholar

Brianna Garcia, the Valedictorian at Los Fresnos High School Class of 2015, has been named a National Merit Scholar.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) today released the names of 2,500 Merit Scholar designees chosen from a pool of more than 15,000 finalists. Each recipient receives a $2,500 scholarship.

National Merit Scholarship winners are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the
nation’s graduating high school seniors.

These Scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the Finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from two standardized tests; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the Finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.

In January, Garcia and LFHS Salutatorian Audrey Urbis were named finalists. They were named semifinalists in September.

“I am honored to earn this distinction, although I did not expect to get this far in the program – really a welcome surprise,” Garcia said. “I am, of course, grateful to the teachers and counselors who not only helped with the application process but also gave me the educational experiences necessary to be eligible for this opportunity.

“It seems like it has been quite some time since I took the PSAT; it is interesting that those four hours on that October morning of junior year have continued to bring me benefits and will go further into my college years.”

Garcia was among four students from the Rio Grande Valley selected.

“It could not happen to a more deserving young woman,” principal Ronnie Rodriguez said. “She works very hard on a daily basis trying to maintain the academic excellence of Los Fresnos High School. I am so very proud of her and her accomplishments. Besides her gifted ability, a lot of support from many people at LFHS for her National Merit Scholar recognition.”

Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.