(KNSI) — A St. John’s Prep senior has been named a National Merit finalist in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
This fall, Amanda Bolton first earned recognition as a semifinalist, placing her among the top 16,000 students nationwide. Now, she is one of the top 15,000 finalists to earn one of the scholarships.
High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, an initial screening of approximately 1.5 million entrants annually. To become a finalist, a student must place among the top scorers in the country on the PSAT tests, which represents less than 1% of graduating seniors. They must also show academic excellence throughout high school and be endorsed and recommended by their school’s principal.
Amanda advanced after she submitted an application, which included her academic records and listing all of the school and community activities in which she participates.
She is a co-captain of the soccer and basketball teams, competes with the Prep varsity track and field teams, is committee chair for the National Honor Society service, co-president of the German club, and team lead in the junior volunteer program at CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital. Amanda is also a Mock Trial and Envirothon team member and works at The Good Shepherd Community as a certified nursing assistant.
Her long term goal is to attend medical school to become a pediatric dermatologist. She plans on studying Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology in college.
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