Wichita State University has selected the top 14 finalists in the annual Distinguished Scholarship Invitational (DSI):
- Tiana Marion, Salina South High School
- Amani Moore, Byron Nelson High School (Texas)
- Thayu Kimori, Lawrence Free State High School
- Zoe Phillips, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts (Texas)
- Alondra Valle, Dodge City High School
- Lexi Dixon, The Barstow School (Missouri)
- Annie Wasinger, Thomas More Prep High School
- Katherine Mackenzie, Liberty North High School (Missouri)
- Jayce Hildebrand, Stafford High School
- Mia Putnam, Bishop Miege High School
- Joey Macko, San Marcus High School (California)
- Monica Nguyen, Wichita East High School
- Charlie Hill, Bishop Miege High School
- Braden Webb, Blue Valley North High School
A total of 813 students submitted applications for DSI in November – the largest application pool in DSI history. Three of the finalists will be selected as recipients of the Harry Gore Memorial $64,000 scholarship, which are among the largest undergraduate awards in the Midwest.
To be invited to compete in the invitational, students had to have a 27 or higher ACT score, or a 3.5 or higher GPA, or rank in the top 10% of their class. The 14 finalists this year have an average ACT score of 28 and average GPA of 3.97.
Once invited, students completed an application, including essays and small-group interviews via Zoom. Finalists interviewed with the Gore Selection Committee on Jan. 21.
The announcement of the Gore Scholars will be at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 29 in Wichita State’s Marcus Welcome Center. All finalists will receive competitive scholarship packages to attend Wichita State in fall 2021.
Wichita State University serves as the Kansas urban-based research university, enrolling more than 15,000 students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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