3 minute read
student spotlight
No Time for Senioritis
With college quickly approaching, students put in best effort to the very end
To be a National Merit Semifinalist, students must score in the top 1 percent of PSAT participants in 2022. Two of the 1.5 million test takers and 16,000 National Merit semifinalists are students Joshua Morehead from Pickerington High School Central and Alexander Hall from Pickerington High School North.
Taking the PSAT gives students the opportunity to achieve scholarships and awards for their college applications. Pickerington Local Schools offers a wide variety of options for students to practice and prepare for the upcoming tests.
“There are tons of prep materials I used,” Morehead says. “Pickerington Central makes it known that the resources are there, and if you want to use them you can.”
Due to the bulk of these two students’ high school experience revolv-
Alexander Hall
ing around the COVID-19 pandemic, Hall mentions how it was harder to focus during online school. However, the past year and a half back in person gave him the chance to do his best on the PSAT.
“I had already applied to schools,” Hall says. “But receiving this honor was a huge bonus. It’ll definitely help pay for the costs of college.”
Hall applied to colleges including The Ohio State University and Miami University, and plans to study computer science.
Morehead credits his guidance counselor, Chris Peirano, for his role in Morehead’s academic success.
“My counselor is really helpful,” Morehead says. “If I had any questions or needed help, I’d shoot him an email.”
Morehead was recently accepted into the United States Military Academy, usually referred to as West Point, and plans to study engineering psychology. With his passion for learning and a heart to help others, he is excited to begin his journey at such a respected institution.
Even though Morehead is already accepted, he knows there is still work to do before his time at West Point. As a way to continue running during school, Morehead hopes to join the marathon running team and knows this means he needs to stay in shape.
“I run distance events for track, the 800 and 1600. I need to stay in shape for the team and
Morehead participates in a cross country race for Pickerington High School Central.
hopefully have a great season this year, too,” Morehead says.
Morehead is also a captain on the Science Olympiad team at Central. Science Olympiad is an academic competition system that promotes a new perspective on education in a variety of subjects including science, technology and engineering. Across the nation, Science Olympiad gives students a unique approach to learning through a competitive lens. Serving as the captain has given Morehead a platform to put leadership skills into practice.
“I think that going and participating in these extracurriculars that are of a challenging nature allows for you to grow as a person to succeed in other areas of life as well,” Morehead says.
Even with the craziness of senior year, finding a college and planning his career, Morehead and Hall emphasize the importance of still being just a high school kid. Going to football games, hanging out with friends and having fun; that’s what senior year is all about.
“You get out the effort that you put into things, but while you’re trying to be the best that you can, don’t let that hinder you from having fun,” Morehead says.
Kobe Collins is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com
