Nine National Merit Finalists and four National Hispanic Recognition Scholars have chosen to attend Wichita State University beginning in the fall of 2018.

National Merit Finalists are selected by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation on the basis of high academic achievement, endorsement by a high school official and performance on the Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT / NMSQT). About 1 percent 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 coordinated by the College Board and selects National Hispanic Recognition Scholars on the basis of their PSAT / NMSQT performance. The program honors the highest 2 percent of scorers who self-reported as at least one quarter Hispanic.

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 $1,000 textbook stipend.

2018 National Merit Finalists:

Samuel Bartel, Hesston High School (Kansas). Bartel is the son of Larry and Alyce Bartel. Bartel ran cross country and track for Hesston High School. He also participated in Scholars Bowl, Future Business Leaders of America and Model UN. Bartel played in Hesston’s jazz, pep, and concert bands, and also enjoys reading and playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends. He will major in mathematics.

Colin Beal, Grain Valley High School (Missouri). Beal is the son of Jill and Kenneth Beal. In high school, Beal kept busy with FRC Robotics Club, Scholars Bowl, theatre and the Grain Valley Marching Eagles. Outside of school, he enjoys playing board games with his friends and family and is active in his church. Beal will pursue a degree in aerospace engineering.

Samual Brickett, Ponca High School (Nebraska). Brickett is the son of Doug and Christina Luebe. He participated in football, track and field, choir, band, swing choir, jazz band and Quiz Bowl at Ponca High. Outside of school, Brickett keeps busy by playing games with his friends, swimming and flying his drone. Brickett will major in aerospace engineering.

Kaitlyn Cowen, Andover Central High School (Kansas). Cowen is the daughter of Janet Cowen. At Andover Central, Cowen was involved in band, Science Olympiad, Film Club, National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. Outside of school, Cowen’s hobbies include reading and volunteering. She plans to major in geology.

Kian Farley, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School (Kansas). Farley is the son of Stephanie and Ryan Farley. At Bishop Carroll, he has kept busy with Scholars Bowl, Game Club, Liturgy Club, National Honor Society, God Squad and drama. Farley also enjoys reading and playing ultimate frisbee. At Wichita State, he will pursue a major in computer science.

Blake Fosburgh, Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School (Minnesota). Fosburgh is the son of Bob and Donna Fosburgh. In high school, Fosburgh played soccer and golf, and participated in choir, Knowledge Bowl and National Honor Society. Outside of school, he kept busy with card games, disc golf and FIFA. Blake will major in chemistry and is considering a career as a pharmacist.

Amanda Perez, Andover Central High School (Kansas). Perez is the daughter of Gregorio and Helena Perez. At Andover Central, she participated in debate and band. Perez is currently undecided as to what she will study at WSU.

Corbin Prichard, Northeast Magnet High School (Kansas). Prichard is the son of Gwen Prichard and Cameron Prichard, and is the stepson of Shelly Prichard. At Northeast Magnet, he was involved in National Honor Society and Student Council. He was also a two-time state qualifier in Mock Trial. Outside of school, he enjoys playing the piano. Prichard plans to pursue engineering, but is still selecting a specific major.

Alex Schuler, Olathe Northwest High School (Kansas). Schuler is the son of Tricia Schuler and Phillip Schuler. At Olathe Northwest, Schuler has been involved in debate and forensics, National Honor Society, Scholars Bowl, Engineering to Endure and more. Outside of school, he is involved in Boy Scouts of America. Schuler plans to major in mechanical engineering.

2018 National Hispanic Recognition Scholars:

Jonathon Gutierrez, Pius X High School (Nebraska). Gutierrez is the son of Juan Carlos Gutierrez and Jennifer Gutierrez. He participated in Pius X High School’s golf team, Ambassadors Club and Outdoors Club. Gutierrez also enjoys reading and spending time with his friends. He will pursue a degree in aerospace engineering.

Brock Martinez, Mountain View High School (Idaho). Martinez is the son of B. and R. Martinez. At Mountain View High School, Martinez participated in debate and Culinary Career Technical Training. He served as the President of F.I.R.S.T Robotics Team for three years. Outside of school, Martinez enjoys cooking and Super Smash Brothers Melee tournaments. He plans to major in computer science and is interested in becoming a game designer.

Paco Salgado, Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School (Kansas). Salgado is the son of Diego and Sylvine Salgado. In high school, Salgado was involved in debate and forensics, concert choir, madrigals and men’s ensemble. He also enjoys playing Magic: The Gathering. Salgado plans to major in political science before going on to law school and a potential career as a district attorney or state prosecutor.

Erick Snedegar, Leavenworth High School (Kansas). Snedegar is the son of Richard Snedegar. He was involved in theatre at Leavenworth High. Snedegar plans to major in music at Wichita State.

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.twitter.com/wichitastate.