National Merit Semi-Finalist: Higley High student honored

Higley High School’s Lindsey Giles was named a 2020 National Merit Semi-Finalist, an honor awarded to less than one percent of high school students nationwide.

On top of her difficult class load throughout her high school years – including AP classes such as AP English and AP Microeconomics – Lindsey plays volleyball and is on Student Council. She also serves as an officer with the Best Buddies program at Higley High.

As a semifinalist, Giles is in the running for National Merit Scholar recognition, which will be announced in the spring. That honor could open the door to additional college and university scholarships.

Every October, about 1.6 million juniors across the country take the PSAT. Those who score in the top 1% achieve the distinction of being named a Semi Finalist. Most of these students move on to become National Merit Finalists, with some winning scholarship money for college.

Giles said she would like to study kinesiology in college and pursue a career as a physical therapist. She considers being named a National Merit Semi-Finalist a great honor.

“There’s only so many people who get chosen,” Giles said. “I work really hard in school to get everything done and by doing that I’m able to learn everything.”