She's not quite one in a million, but she's close. Lauren Webb is the first Hudson High School student in 14 years to be named a Commended Student in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program. She placed in the top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million students who took the 2010 preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, a news release states. ...more

November 8, 2009

Three Academy of the Holy Names students, Alexandra Sarau, Jennifer Caldwell and Sara Ku, were among 34,000 students from around the nation to receive recognition from the National Merit Scholarship program. ...more

October 21, 2009

Some of the most influential college admissions officials have moved to break the decades-long stranglehold the College Board has had on the process, saying for the first time that institutions of higher education should move away from their reliance on SAT and ACT test scores in admitting students. ...more

September 25, 2008

Lauren VanHelden landed one of the top scores in Florida on her junior year PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, making her one of 16,000 semifinalists for the coveted scholarship. ...more

September 21, 2008

Hernando County public schools have produced two National Merit Scholarship semifinalists this year. ...more

September 13, 2008

Hillsborough County public schools produced more National Merit Scholarship semifinalists than any other school system in Florida, the school district announced Wednesday. ...more

September 11, 2008

Hillsborough County public schools produced more National Merit Scholarship semifinalists than any other school system in Florida, the school district announced today. Sixty-four Hillsborough students won the semifinalist distinction, a 23 percent increase over last year's total of 52. ...more

September 10, 2008

King High graduate Natalie B. Weinstein won a National Merit Scholarship. She will be attending the University of Central Florida in August and wants to pursue a career in engineering. ...more

June 4, 2008

One writer, apparently not a fan, asked about Senator Clinton's early years. A good question because many believe that academic success, high intellect and early leadership roles are essential foundations for the demanding position of president. A brief Internet search provides concise background information on all candidates. Hillary Rodham, daughter of a small business owner, had a Midwest Ozzie and Harriet childhood. Hillary was student body president of her public high school, graduated in the top five of her class and was a National Merit Scholarship finalist. She majored in political science at prestigious Wellesley College, where she was president of the Young Republican's Club (yes Republican), graduated with honors and was the first student in the school's history to deliver a commencement address. The latter was covered in Life Magazine. She went on to Yale Law School, served on the Law Review Board and received her L.L.D. Interviews with former Wellesley students state that Hillary was an inspirational student leader who was always prepared, charismatic and very effective. She was viewed by many at the time as a future senator or even the first woman president. ...more

February 19, 2008

Charter members and past exalted rulers of the Brandon Elks Lodge No. 2383 are invited to a 40th anniversary celebration of the chartering of the lodge from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at the lodge, 800 Centennial Lodge Drive. ...more

January 19, 2008