1. National Merit Scholar Teachers: Julie Pasterchick Maggie Dennis Patricia Clayton

2. What is National Merit Scholar? An award given to the top PSAT scores.

3. How do you become a National Merit Scholar? Take the PSAT in October of your junior year Score in the top 50,000 to be considered 1/3 of these 50,000 become semifinalists 7,600 of the semi-finalists will receive National Merit Scholarships

4. What do you get if you are a National Merit Scholar? The scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation is $2,500 for freshman year of college only. Colleges around the country place a much greater monetary value on National Merit Scholars who agree to go to their university …

5. University of Mississippi Academic Excellence Scholarship National Merit/Achievement Semi- Finalist/Finalist Award Currently valued at $33,200 National Merit/Achievement Finalist Award $2,000 ($500 per year) Luckyday Merit Scholarship $12,000 ($3,000 per year)

6. Mississippi State University National Merit/Achievement Semi-Finalist, Resident $22,000 over four years National Hispanic Scholar Recognition Program $22,000 over four years Criteria: Students who have been officially named as National Hispanic Scholars finalists by the College Board

7. University of Memphis The Cecil C. Humphreys Merit Scholarship is awarded to all National Merit/National Achievement finalists listing The University of Memphis as their first choice with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by the required deadline. This prestigious award is $9,000 per year plus the following benefits: 1. Dell laptop computer 2. Study Abroad or National Student Exchange Stipend of $2,000 3. National Merit Corporation Stipend 4. Assistance provided for travel to National Conference on Undergraduate Research 5. * Non-Resident Honors Student Award (NRHSA) for out- of-state awardees.

8. University of Tennessee National Merit or Achievement Finalists: $8,000 per year National Merit Semifinalists with a minimum 26 ACT: $4,000 per year

9. What if I do not score high enough to become a National Merit Finalist? After the October test for the PSAT, we will be preparing for the ACT. Schools give a great deal of money to students with high ACT scores …

10. University of Mississippi Academic Excellence Scholarships $5,000 - $20,000 ($1,250 - $5,000 per year) minimum 26 ACT More scholarships offered based upon intended major

11. Mississippi State University Freshman Academic Excellence Four-year award (eight semesters) Starting at $4,000 Criteria: Minimum 24 ACT Distinguished Scholarships Up to $34,000 over four years ($8,500/year) Criteria: Minimum 29 ACT More scholarships offered based upon intended major

12. University of Memphis The Cecil C. Humphreys Presidential Scholarship $7,500 per year minimum 30 ACT The University of Memphis Provost's Scholarship $5,500 per year minimum 28 ACT The University of Memphis Dean's Scholarship $3,000 per year minimum 25 ACT

13. University of Tennessee Manning Scholars $7,000 per year Minimum 29 ACT More scholarships offered based upon intended major

14. But that’s not all… Southaven High School is known for its state championship teams,

15. its superior band,

16. and other outstanding activities.

17. We want YOU to give Southaven High another type of REPUTATION: HOME OF NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS Picture Yourself Here

18. What happened in 2008???

19. 2008 PSAT Student Stats The average increase was 19.5 points 75% improved 14-35 points from their first PSAT (that is a 6-18% increase) 19% improved over 30 points EVERY STUDENT INCREASED THEIR SCORE

20. 2008 PSAT Student Stats We are still awaiting our first set of ACT results There seems to be much improvement when taking ACT practice tests

21. Class Structure -Spring 2009 -Summer Workshop -Fall 2009

22. Spring 2009 Skill We will work on getting students the SKILL (information) they will need in order to succeed on the PSAT Students will meet for 90 minutes during 5 th period everyday.

23. Summer Workshop Strategy We will work on STRATEGIES for taking the PSAT during the summer. The workshop will be from July 6-July 17

24. Summer Workshop Payment The summer workshop costs $300 We will establish a system where you can pay the fee in installments Installment Plan: $75 will be paid monthly in January, February, March and April. The final amount is due by May 15 th, 2009.

25. Summer Workshop Pictures!

29. Fall 2009 Speed Students will work on their SPEED (since the PSAT is timed) during this semester. 1 st Nine Weeks-PSAT prep October-PSAT/ NMSQT test 2 nd Nine Weeks-ACT prep Students will meet during 5 th period for 90 minutes daily