BELTON, Texas — Belton ISD announces that two high school seniors in the school district have been selected as finalists for the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program on Thursday, Feb. 16.
Belton High School's Caleb Bovell and Belton New Tech's Kevin Thomas are a part of the 15,000 students nationwide who have been selected as finalists.
About half of these finalists will be selected as winners later on in the spring and will be awarded one of these three scholarships:
- National Merit - $2,500 Scholarship
- Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards
- College-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards
Belton ISD officials are very proud of how hard Bovell and Thomas have worked throughout their high school careers.
Belton ISD Superintendent Matt Smith states, "This is an amazing accomplishment."
"We're incredibly proud of the hard work and commitment to learning that is reflected behind it," Smith adds.
Bovell credits a couple of his extra-curricular activities for a lot of the success he has had in his life.
When talking about his role on the varsity swim team, Bovell states, "It's taught me perseverance. When you go to practice and your coach pushes you to do something you don't think you can do and then you do it -- that pushes you toward excellence and reminds you that you can do more than you thought."
In addition to being a varsity athlete, Bovell is also a member of Belton High School's theatre program.
He believes being a part of theatre has given him skills that he will take to college.
"Theatre has taught me a lot about community and building connections with people. That's going to help me in college to find a community and pour myself into it," Bovell states.
Over at Belton New Tech, Principal Kim Winters is extremely proud of Thomas' achievement.
Winters states, "Kevin's dedication to his studies and our school is tremendous, we are so proud of his hard work and excited about the doors this recognition will open for him. He is most deserving of this honor."
Thomas serves as the service coordinator on the National Honor Society and helps manage a team of writers for the student newspaper.
Thomas recognizes the faculty of Belton New Tech and will take what they've taught him far beyond his high school days.
"I will most definitely hold my teachers in my memory for a long time to come, I've been constantly surprised at the expertise and love of learning my teachers have expressed over my past three years at New Tech," Thomas explains.
Overall, Thomas is excited about being a finalist as he states, "It's a significant step in my academic journey."
Both students will learn if they have been awarded a merit scholarship later in the spring.
To view more information, visit here.
Also on KCENTV.com:
