Monroe County School District announced its two National Merit finalists

MONROE COUNTY, Fla — The Monroe County School District is pleased to announce its two National Merit finalists, Brian Coward of Key West High School, and Preston Holt, of Coral Shores High School. The National Merit Scholarship Program, which began in 1955, has named about 15,000 finalists nationwide for the 2016-2017 school year. The two will compete for a $2,500 awarded to 7,500 students out of the 15,000 finalists from scholarships funds of about $33million. The two high school seniors began the qualification process for the award when they took the PSAT in their junior year and met the appropriate requirements to become semifinalists.

Preston Holt, 17, is a Texas native who has found a home in Key Largo by way of Missoula, Mont. The Coral Shores High student said he owes much of his success to managing school, and activities that enrich his learning experience. “Between school and work and clubs, it can get a little strenuous sometimes, but what I’ve found works best for me is doing as much as I can in the first couple days of the week (Monday and Tuesday) so that I have time to study or relax later on, as Wednesday is my day off of work.” Holt, who is also a member of the Coral Shores Math Club hopes to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Florida, in Gainesville. He said this scholarship and others could help pay for tuition, books, and room and board.

Brian Coward, 17, shares similar sentiments. The Key West native said preparation and time management has been key. “The most important thing is just doing things when you have the chance to do it, instead of putting them off. If you have practice at 5:00 p.m., and homework, you do the homework before instead of staying up until midnight and losing sleep. It’s just a matter of work ethic. It’s doable.” Key West High School plans to host Brian Coward day during the first week of April. Coward hopes to attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. The first ever finalist at KWHS said he’s looking forward to using the money toward his tuition, but is also excited to meet other people who have gone through the program, if he wins.

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