St. Clare Alums recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation

Danny Bugingo

We’re so proud of St. Clare Alum Danny Bugingo! He has been named a Semifinalists in the 60th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, sponsored by the National Merit Scholarshiop Corporation (NMSC). Danny had this to share about his educational start at St. Clare School.

“St. Clare sparked a curiosity and passion for learning that will follow me for the rest of my life. I hope others continue to experience this same transformative education for years to come.”

Drew Cannon

Drew Cannon, a St. Clare classmate of Danny’s, is also a National Merit Semifinalist. He, along with Danny Bugingo, is competing for a National Merit Scholarship. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and more than half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar ® title.

Approximately 7,600 National Merit Scholarships will be awarded for a total worth of about $33 million. NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 440 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence

Proud St. Clare Alumni Parent Mary Kay Hoenstein had this to say about Drew and her daughter Lindsay, who both were recognized by NMSC.

“St. Clare School gave my children the skills to succeed not only in high school and beyond, but in life. The St. Clare community provides support and structure for the students AND their parents. Academics are stressed at St. Clare but they also teach to the whole child, with CYO athletics, spiritual guidance, art and music programs, community service, after school programs and more. I am so appreciative of the opportunities my two children had at St. Clare School.”

The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in Oregon is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors. To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and his or her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.