Three Seniors Gain National Recognition

February 17, 2017

Cate finalists in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship program, (L to R) Seniors Henry Dawson, Katherine Grossman and Zac Towbes.

Three members of the Cate Class of 2017 have been named finalists in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program. The students have been selected as a result of their high PSAT scores and their outstanding academic achievement and promise, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

The three Cate seniors –Henry Dawson of Washington DC, Katherine Grossman of Louisville, KY and Zac Towbes of Santa Barbara, CA – were among the approximately 15,000 students named finalists this year from an initial pool of 1.6 million. The trio was in the top 1% of high school scorers on the PSAT, which they took last year as juniors. All three will compete for the title of Merit Scholar, along with a National Merit Scholarship. This year, the National Merit Scholarship Program will award 2500 National Merit Scholarships, 1000 corporate-sponsored scholarships, and 4000 college-sponsored scholarships, totalling 3.3 million dollars.

Merit Scholars are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. This year’s National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. Cate Head of School Ben Williams says, “We are justly proud of these three seniors. They’ve demonstrated their intellect as well as the value of a Cate education by earning this honor.”