October 4, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Megan Overman, Public Information Officer
Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District
817-251-5503

GCISD celebrates 11 National Merit semifinalists

Eleven Grapevine-Colleyville ISD high school students have been named semifinalists in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program.

“We are very proud of these students and their academic accomplishment as National Merit semifinalists,” said Kay Waggoner, superintendent. “These successful seniors have demonstrated years of hard work, strong focus and commitment to high standards in school as well as in their activities outside the classroom.”

Of GCISD’s 11 semifinalists, three attend Colleyville Heritage High School and eight attend Grapevine High School. The National Merit Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. An estimated 16,000 semifinalists – less than 1 percent of high school seniors nationwide – were announced in September by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. They were chosen based on their scores from the 2006 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and are among the students scoring the highest in the state.

The semifinalists will be recognized on Oct. 29 at a 6 p.m. reception hosted by the Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation and during the regular GCISD Board of Trustees meeting at 7 p.m.

Those students selected as finalists will compete for a total of $50 million in scholarships from the National Merit Corporation, corporate sponsors and college/university sponsors. There are three types of Merit Scholarship winners, which will be announced beginning in March through June.

Congratulations to these CHHS students:

Shelby Lee of Grapevine, daughter of Joe and Ann Lee—Shelby is “Babs” the Panther mascot and a member of the Red Jackets, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Band and a Principal’s Scholar. She also participates in Texas Bluebonnet Girls State and First United Methodist Church of Colleyville’s Youth Group and Choir. Shelby plans to major in biomedical engineering at Texas A&M University. She has attended GCISD schools for 11 years.

Stephanie Swaim of Colleyville, daughter of Eric and Terri Swaim—Stephanie has been in Student Council for four years, and currently holds the office of Pro Tem. She is also a member of the Red Jackets, the PEANUT Mentor Council, and National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. She is an active volunteer, including assisting her city’s City Manager. She is undecided about her major, but hopes to attend the University of Texas at Austin. She has attended GCISD schools for 9 years.

Christina Wray of Colleyville, daughter of Richard Wray and Susan Hess—Christina is president of the National Honor Society, is on the varsity tennis team, is a member of the Red Jackets, UIL Science Team and Science Club and active with Habitat for Humanity. She participates in the USTA tennis tournaments, volunteers at Cool Children’s Medical Center Child Life Oncology Department and Biology Lab, participated in the Welch Summer Scholar Program in which she worked in a graduate chemistry job at Texas Tech during the summer 2007 and went on a medical mission trip to Panama in summer 2007. She plans to major in biochemistry and hopes to attend Dartmouth College and become a pediatric oncologist with an opportunity to participate in laboratory research. She has attended GCISD schools since kindergarten and is currently ranked No. 1 in her class.

Congratulations to these GHS semifinalists:

Tonia Beglari of Colleyville, daughter of Mahrash Hatamieh and Marc Beglari—Tonia is co-captain of the Policy Debate team, is vice president of National Honor Society, and is actively involved in the Grapevine Art Department. She has received first in a school art show, received high marks at VASE art shows, and advanced to Round 11 of the National Forensic League Tournament with her partner. She also participates in Amnesty International, maintains an online art portfolio, and has displayed work in a youth city art show. She plans to major in liberal arts and art at either the University of Texas at Austin or Berkeley and hopes to become a lawyer and eventually work in international relations. She has attended GCISD schools for five years.

Kelsey Creed of Colleyville, daughter of Kevin and Linda Creed—Kelsey is head drum major of the Mustang band, has served as the clarinet section leader her junior and senior years, and is Band Council President. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society and participates in the National Charity League and ballet outside of school. She plans to major in biomedical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Kelsey has attended GCISD since kindergarten.

Tyler Franklin of Colleyville, son of Mike and Kathy Franklin—Tyler is a Fish Camp Mentor and is a member of the Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Fillies Honor Guard and Student Council. He was selected for Who’s Who Among American High School Students, and played on the tennis team for three years and in the GHS marching band for one year. He served as the youth missions chairperson for three years at the First United Methodist Church of Colleyville, where he also is in the youth group and plays on the men’s softball team. Tyler plans to major in engineering and hopes to attend the University of Texas at Austin. He has attended GCISD since kindergarten.

Brigit Holland of North Richland Hills, daughter of Bill and Mary Holland—Brigit received 2nd in UIL Social Studies competition and is a member of Spanish Club, National Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society, Class Council and Student Council. She works part-time and also volunteers at a local rehabilitation and nursing home. She plans to major in chemical engineering and hopes to attend the University of Oklahoma and become a chemical engineer. She has attended GCISD schools since kindergarten.

Matthew Kingensmith of Grapevine, son of Kerry and Leslie Klingensmith—Matthew plays on the drum line in the Mustang band, is in jazz band, and is a member of the Robotics Club, German Club and Math and Science Club. He has won awards at state math and science competitions. He is a NASA Aerospace Scholar and School Jams band member. Matthew plans to major in computer science with an emphasis in robotics and hopes to attend Carnegie Mellon University and have a career in robotics research. He has attended GCISD schools for 11 years.

Derek Lowe of Grapevine, son of Steven and Kristin Lowe—Derek plays basketball and is a member of the National Honor Society, Community Scholar Ambassador Program and Mu Alpha Theta. He is also an Eagle Scout, plays the piano and organ, and attends early morning seminary for church and work. He plans to major in biology and hopes to attend Brigham Young University and become a physician. He has attended GCISD schools since kindergarten.

Thien-An (Dominic) Nguyen of Grapevine, son of Bang and Loan Nguyen—Dominic is a member of Latin Club, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and is a Community Scholar Ambassador. He played JV tennis in ninth and tenth grades. He also volunteers at the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and plays the piano. He plans to major in biomedical engineering and is undecided as to where he wants to attend college. Dominic plans to be a biomedical engineer and perhaps a doctor. He has attended GCISD schools since kindergarten.

Shelby Wright of Grapevine, daughter of Greg and Harriet Wright—Shelby is the photography staff editor and a member of the National Honor Society. She has previously participated in Latin Club, Rachel’s Challenge, Interact, Student Council, Magnificent Mustang, Honor Role and Students Standing Strong. She also volunteers in crossroads ministries and performs community service. Shelby plans to major in mathematics and is undecided about her college choice and career. She has attended GCISD schools since ninth grade.