Students Awarded for high PSAT score

Students Awarded for High PSAT score Ashlie Handy   At Miami Beach Senior High School, students Caroline Kane and Claire Austin were recognized as commended students for high performance scores on the PSAT.  The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955.  In late September, more than two-thirds or about 34,000 of the approximately 50,000 high scorers on PSAT receive Letters of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic score. Although Commended Students do not continue in the competition for Merit Scholarship awards, some of these students do become candidates for Special Scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses. Seniors Claire Austin and Caroline Kane were the awardees who brought great Hi-Tide pride to the school. Both girls are scholar’s academy students who maintain a GPA of roughly around 5.0 and are in the top 5% of the there class. “Honestly”, Claire Austin admits, “we could have done better and reached a higher achievement level, preferably with a cash award!” Although nothing in material value was awarded to the students, the recognition will weigh heavy in college applications, and looks great for colleges.  Both students are highly involved in Beach High’s extracurricular activities such as the Debate team, Key club, Quill and Scroll; and hold titles as Co-captains of the school swim team.  When asked for advice to give lowerclassmen taking the exam Claire Austin suggests “taking challenging classes and reading as often as possible.” To prepare for the test both students studied from the Official SAT test book and highly recommend the same for all test takers. “Unlike the SAT,” Claire Austin begins, “the PSAT is free, so take it often, study, and reap the benefits!”