by Joe Greene, News Editor


This year, Allegra Wallingford, senior, was named a National Achievement Scholarship Semifinalist. The National Achievement Scholarship Program was established nearly fifty years ago with the goal of recognizing outstanding African-American high school students.

16,000 students were chosen to compete for this award out of a total of 1.5 million students who took the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) Allegra is one of 1600 students designated a Semifinalist.

“It was shocking! I’m really happy and excited. I hope I can move on and earn scholarship money because college is expensive,” said Allegra Wallingford.

“Awesome colleges started sending me mail. And after I was named even more colleges contacted me,” Wallingford said.

In order to qualify for Finalist, Allegra will complete a comprehensive application outlining her leadership experiences and activities, as well as write a descriptive essay. In January 2014, 1300 Finalists will be chosen, and of those students, 800 will be chosen as National Achievement Scholarship winners. Winners are eligible for National Achievement $2500 Scholarships, as well as a variety of corporate-sponsored scholarships.

The College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Organization cosponsor the National Achievement Scholarship Program and the National Merit Scholarship Program. In order to qualify, students must take the PSAT and those with the highest index score in critical reading, math and writing are able to compete for scholarships.

Last year, three HHS students were named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. In 2011, two students were named and in 2010, seven students.

Taking the PSAT has long been a requirement for juniors at HHS. But for the first time, this fall the mandate was dropped and students instead had the option to take either the PSAT or the Preliminary ACT (PLAN).

“We are always trying to be in the best interest of our students,” said principal, Patty Johnson. “Many students take the PSAT to get an award, but most students don’t do this.”

Johnson found that since many juniors were taking the ACT in the spring, summer, and fall of their senior year, the PLAN would be an ideal use of their time.

Johnson’s goal is for every student to be fully informed, and for not a moment of students’ time to be wasted. The Princeton Review was tapped to come in and simulate an actual ACT exam, explaining the score and giving test tips.

This Practice ACT sets up students to get used to the actual timing of the test, something Johnson sees as “perfect” for students.

Academic Dean, Tyson Crockett sees the PLAN and the Practice ACT as putting students in the mindset for the real ACT. “The Practice ACT lets you see how well you’ve improved and whether you have met your goal since taking the PLAN,” Crockett said.

As for opting for the PSAT or the PLAN, Crockett states that the vast majority of students will take the ACT or the SAT exclusively depending on which schools they are applying to. But he sees choice as important.

“I think choice provides more opportunities for students to practice assessments and gain access to colleges and universities. Also, it’s a great way to get feedback on where a student is academically,” Crockett said.

For some juniors, the idea of opting for the PLAN was appealing for a couple of reasons.  Some wanted to focus on the standardized test that they would actually be taking – the ACT. Others were not sure that they would make the cut for the scholarship.

“I didn’t think I would rank in the top few percent to qualify for a scholarship in my grade, so I chose to take the practice ACT. That test will help me figure where I am, what I need to improve on, and how much work is ahead of me for preparing for the real ACT test.” said Joe Nelsen, junior.

Many juniors who took the PLAN for the first time as sophomores aim for significant improvements in their scores this time around.

“The PLAN test was a good first experience with a simulation of taking a real ACT test. This year, I hope to not fill any random bubbles because I was rushed for time. I particularly want to do well on English and Math because schools tend to notice those sections more because they directly test what you learn in school,” said Spencer Allen, junior.

“The ACT is something I’m familiar with. The PLAN test had a lot of tough questions for my age at the time. I think that after another year of school and practicing material in class, I will be able to see big improvements on the test,” said Isaiah Kugmeh, junior.

Despite a significant number of students choosing to take the practice ACT, some are still drawn to the possibility of being a National Merit Scholar and the promise of a lucrative scholarship.

Sam Greenwald, junior, has been working for two months with a tutor to get ready for the upcoming PSAT exam. He is eager to become one of few HHS Students like Allegra Wallingford who may be awarded a National Merit Scholarship based on his PSAT score.


“There’s absolutely no reward to taking the practice ACT, and there’s a chance for a scholarship from the PSAT so I’m going to take it. The test is necessary and tedious, but it’s also learnable,” Greenwald said.

As for Wallingford, she has her eye on Carleton College, while giving Notre Dame, Yale, Harvard and Brown a shot.

“Applying to colleges can be extremely stressful. Now more and more colleges want me,” Wallingford said.

Patty Johnson is thrilled for Wallingford’s success.

“I’m proud of her just as I am proud of every student who does well here. Whether it’s theater or sports… I’m proud of students who are engaged and try. We all shine in different ways,” Johnson said.