Lawrence National Merit semifinalists

Free State High School seniors and National Merit semifinalists are, back row from left, Lydia Belcher, Chris Carter, Tim Clark, Rodi Torres-Gavosto and Tess Murray. Front row from left are Molly Albrecht, Katie Burk and Ruth Byers.

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Here are the profiles of the National Merit Scholarship semifinalists from Lawrence. Attempts to reach home-school student Rebekah Curry were unsuccessful.

Jeff Miller
Bishop Seabury Academy
Activities: Student government, golf, Bicycle Club
College goals: Become fluent in Spanish and study abroad in Latin America.

Liam Smith
Bishop Seabury Academy
Activities: Drama, forensics, yearbook, newspaper, weight lifting
College goals: I want to learn about the things I'm passionate about and prepare myself for a rewarding career. I'm also in it for the social experience. I want to make great lifelong friends. I expect college to be some of the best years of my life.

Molly Albrecht
Free State High School
Activities: Lawrence Aquahawk Swimming, Free State swim team, marching/concert band, Link Crew, piano
College goals: Undecided

Lydia Belcher
Free State High School
Activities: Marching band, symphonic band, jazz band, National Honor Society, French club
College goals: Elementary education at Wheaton College

Katie Burk
Free State High School
Activities: Chamber choir, chamber singers, cross country, track and field, German club
College goals: Music education, secondary education or business at St. Olaf College or Kansas University

Ruth Byers
Free State High School
Activities: Scholars' Bowl, math team, environmental club, Science Olympiad
College goals: Cognitive science and/or computer science

Chris Carter
Free State High School
Activities: Marching band, symphonic band, chamber choir, Link Crew, Happy Chappy Tea Time Roustabout, wiffle ball club
College goals: Music education at Kansas University

Tim Clark
Free State High School
Activities: Marching band, symphonic band, math club, Scholars' Bowl, Science Olympiad
College goals: Math, physics or engineering

Tess Murray
Free State High School
Activities: Chamber choir, drum major of marching band, symphonic band, National Honor Society, math team, Science Olympiad, Scholars' Bowl, Link Crew, Happy Chappy Tea Time Roustabout
College goals: Undecided

Rodi Torres-Gavosto
Free State High School
Activities: Spanish club, Model United Nations, soccer, marching and symphonic band, Link Crew, piano.
College goals: Chemistry and physics

JoAnn Doll
Lawrence High School
Activities: Marching and symphonic band, Youth Volunteer Council, National Honor Society, Key Club
College goals: Major in flute performance and classical studies. I would also like to study abroad.