Bluefield College will welcome a National Merit student to campus this fall. National Merit Commended Student Anna Sale of Yadkinville, North Carolina, will become a part of BC’s 2011 freshman class, further demonstrating the quality of the students choosing to attend the private Christian school.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is a prestigious academic competition for high school students planning to enroll full time in college. More than 1.5 million high school seniors who complete the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) and the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) participate in the program each year.
This year, Sale, who attended Forbrush High School in East Bend, North Carolina, was among the approximately 50,000 (less than four percent of 1.5 million) students to be recognized as a National Merit student. In fact, she advanced further in the scholarship competition to be one of just 34,000 (about two percent of 1.5 million) candidates to be named a National Merit Commended Student.
“We take great pride in Anna and the fact that she has chosen Bluefield College to continue her education,” said BC’s Mark Hipes, director of traditional admissions, “but she is just one example of the many quality students who will walk our hallways, learn in our classrooms, and go on to impact the world through productive and meaningful lives.”
While she was not among the 16,000 to advance to the semi-final stage or the 15,000 to be named finalists or National Merit Scholars, Sale did earn a special corporate-sponsored scholarship as part of her Commended status. Only 1,300 students who are not finalists receive the special corporate scholarships.
“This (enrolling a National Merit Commended Student) just confirms what we already know about Bluefield College,” said Hipes, “and that is we are among the best in preparing students for a life of learning and scholarship. We are about excellence in all things. We are a college for National Merit students and a college for students who have yet to realize their full potential.”
While a student at Forbrush, Sale was a cheerleader and drum major for the school’s marching band. She also served as vice president and secretary of the Student Council and was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Bible Club. In addition, she competed in the Quiz Bowl and Science Olympiad.
“The young men and women named Commended Students represent some of the most academically talented students in our country,” said a National Merit spokesperson. “We sincerely hope this recognition will enhance their educational opportunities and encourage them in their pursuit of academic success.”
After her National Merit Commended Student selection, Sale was invited by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation to name two colleges to which she would like to be referred. She chose, of course, Bluefield College.
“I believe Anna chose Bluefield because of the Christian environment and the academic excellence at the school,” said Hipes. “When it comes to the kind of intimate learning community our students enjoy, I don’t think you can find a rival to what BC offers.”
In addition to being a National Merit Commended Student scholarship recipient, Sale is the recipient of a Bluefield College Presidential Scholarship worth more than $27,000 a year for a four-year total award of more than $108,000.
“Our Presidential Scholarship is reserved for the most deserving students and is the most coveted student scholarship award we offer,” said Hipes. “It covers everything — full tuition, room, and board.”