(October 14, 2013), Jackson, TN – Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation
announced the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 59th annual National
Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an
opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,000 National Merit Scholarships worth
about $35 million that will be offered next spring. South Side High School senior, Blake Hayes,
has been named as one of these semifinalists.
Hayes was homeschooled by his grandmother until he began public school in the fifth grade. In
the seventh grade he scored 30 on his ACT after being invited to take the test through the Duke
University Talent Search Program. Hayes took the ACT again and scored an almost perfect
score of 35 out of a possible 36. Hayes would like to pursue a degree in either engineering or
education at either Texas A & M or the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Semifinalists of the National Merit Scholarship Program must fulfill several requirements to
advance to the Finalist level of 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.
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
