Seven National Merit finalists and 11 National Hispanic Recognition scholars have chosen to attend Wichita State beginning fall 2019.
Wichita State invests in the future of these high-achieving students by providing a four-year scholarship covering tuition and fees, room and board, and a yearly $1,250 textbook stipend.
National Merit finalists are selected by the National Merit Scholarship Corp. on the basis of high academic achievement, endorsement by a high school official, and performance on the Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
Approximately 1% of the more than 1.6 million students who take the PSAT / NMSQT each year are selected as finalists in the competition.
The National Hispanic Recognition Program is also coordinated by the College Board and selects National Hispanic Recognition Scholars on the basis of their PSAT / NMSQT performance and other factors. The program honors the highest 2% of scorers who self-reported as at least one quarter Hispanic.
2019 National Merit finalists:
Emma Ahrenholtz, Millard West High School (Nebraska). Emma is the daughter of Charlotte and Christopher Ahrenholtz. At Millard West, Emma was involved in debate, Student Council, Principal Advisory Board, the #BeKind campaign and more. Outside of school, she enjoys softball, volunteering and reading. She will study aerospace engineering.
Tayler Bloom, Ankeny Centennial High School (Iowa). Tayler is the daughter of Dave and Katie Bloom. In high school, she played tennis and soccer and participated in youth group, debate, National Honor Society, Silver Cord and ACE. At Wichita State, Tayler plans to study industrial engineering.
Trevor Cumpston, Aurora High School (Nebraska). Trevor is the son of Josh and Allene Cumpston. At Aurora High, Trevor was involved in football, basketball, golf, FBLA, National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, Student Council, the Aurora Mentoring Program and FCA. Trevor will study economics at Wichita State.
Steven Kurtzweil, Goddard High School (Kansas). Steven is the son of Paul and Leanne Kurtzweil. Steven was involved in tennis, debate and National Honor Society in high school, and spent his free time playing video games. Steven will study computer engineering at Wichita State.
Ruth Magee, home school (Mississippi). Ruth is the daughter of Laura and Kevin Magee. Her hobbies and interests include choir, computer programming and reading. At Wichita State, Ruth will study product design and manufacturing engineering.
Allison Schul, Valley Center High School (Kansas). Allison is the daughter of Scott and Sheila Schul. In high school, she was on the tennis team, Scholars Bowl team and bowling team. She also participated in Science Club and National Honor Society. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. Allison is pursuing a degree in nursing, with the plan to become a nurse practitioner serving rural populations.
Kadi Stithem, Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School (Kansas). Kadi is the daughter of Brandi and Marvin Stithem. In high school, Kadi kept busy with KMC student athletic training, Swing Dance Club, Latin Club, robotics, Science Olympiad and more. Her hobbies include reading, baking, calligraphy and spending time outdoors. She will study biomedical engineering.
2019 National Hispanic Recognition Scholars:
Emanuel Andrade, Liberal High School (Kansas). Emanuel is the son of Manuel and Alma Andrade. At Liberal, he was involved in Scholars Bowl, Robotics Club, National Honor Society and Anime Club. Outside of school, he enjoys video games, and has recently picked up 3D modeling. He plans to study mechanical engineering.
Alex De Jesus, Putnam City West High School (Oklahoma). Alex is the son of Tracy and Angel De Jesus. In school, he participated in Recycling Club, Model UN, National Honor Society, orchestra and wrestling. Alex’s hobbies include weightlifting, All-Star Cheerleading and PC gaming. He plans to study aerospace engineering with a minor in computer science; one day, he hopes to work with NASA or a company like SpaceX to aid in the exploration of the universe.
Megan Gonzalez, Bellarmine Preparatory School (Washington). Megan is the daughter of Robert and Judy Gonzalez. In high school, she participated in jazz band, drama, wrestling and softball. Outside of school, she enjoys musical theatre, learning to play new instruments and writing music. She wants to be a forensic investigator and will major in forensic science.
Nathan Gonzalez, Temecula Preparatory School (California). Nathan is the son of Guadalupe Villagran and Cesar Gonzalez. Nathan was involved in National Honor Society and FIRST Robotics in high school. He also enjoys movies, music, video games and reading. Nathan hopes to design low-emission engines, and will major in mechanical engineering.
William Grossjung, VJ and Angela Skutt Catholic High School (Nebraska). William is the son of Eric and Jacquelyn Grossjung. In high school, he was involved in cross country, track, Science Olympiad, Science Quiz Bowl and more. William also enjoys reading, graphic design, basketball, working on electronics and coding. He plans to study computer science.
Siubhan Mora-Bruce, El Dorado High School (Kansas). Siubhan is the daughter of Heather Bruce, David Mora-Marín, and Daniel Wilson. In high school, Siubhan participated in Scholars Bowl, National Honor Society, KAY Club, Stage Crew, band, drum line, soccer, Student Council, debate, forensics and more. Outside of school, she enjoys reading and artistic pursuits. Siubhan’s major is currently undecided.
Leslie Ortiz, Saint Pius X High School (New Mexico). Leslie is the daughter of Karen and Anthony Ortiz. Throughout high school, Leslie participated in school choir and Liturgical Choir, played water polo and volleyball, and served as president of Clef Hangers A Capella Club. Leslie also enjoys writing songs and poetry. She will study nursing at Wichita State.
Sophia Reyna, Lamar High School (Texas). Sophia is the daughter of David Reyna and Sally Pena. At Lamar High, she participated in National Honor Society, Key Club and Science National Honor Society. She also enjoys playing volleyball. She will study exercise science and hopes to become a physical therapist.
Jace Rivera, Foundations Academy (Kansas). Jace is the son of Pamela and Eddie Rivera. Jace enjoys music, especially playing guitar. In school, he served as an assistant teacher, and was an Honors Society member. He is also a youth group leader, and likes playing spikeball in his free time. He will pursue a business major at Wichita State.
Jaeza Robertson, Oak Park High School (Missouri). Jaeza is the daughter of Jennifer and Jacob Robertson. In high school, Jaeza participated in varsity track, soccer and cross country. She also founded her school’s Dadaism Club, and participated in FIRST Robotics, as well as a private robotics team, #3409 the Astromechs. She spends her free time playing video games, reading and spending quality time with her three siblings. Jaeza will study mechanical engineering.
Francis Slagley, Wayne High School (Ohio). Francis is the son of Baffy and Jeremy Slagley. At Wayne High, Francis participated in varsity soccer, track, cross country and Spanish Honor Society. He also enjoys reading and watching soccer. Francis would like to become a lawyer and plans to study political science.
The mission of Wichita State University is to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good. Wichita State is a doctoral research university enrolling nearly 15,000 students and offering 59 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in seven undergraduate colleges. The Graduate School offers 45 master's and 12 doctoral degrees that offer study in more than 100 areas. Wichita State's Innovation Campus is an interconnected community of partnership buildings, laboratories and mixed-use areas where students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs and businesses have access to the university's vast resources and technology. For more information, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wichitastate and Facebook at www.facebook.com/wichita.state.