Seniors Anna Katherine Cates, Brock Gardner, Nicholas Jones and Thompson Liu have been named Commended Students in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program.
“The young men and women named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success," commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success."
Cates has taken 19 AP and Honors courses and was recently named an AP Scholar with Distinction. She is a member of the Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Spanish Honor Society. A Furman Scholar, Cates has received the Phi Beta Kappa Book Award; the Georgia Certificate of Merit; the Hanks Medal; two Class Scholarship Awards; and E.L. Wright Awards for English 1, English 3, AP Biology, AP Spanish Language and Culture, and AP US History. She has also participated in the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce High School Leadership Rome Program and the Darlington Center for Integrity and Leadership. In addition, Cates is president of the Y-Cabinet and Spanish Club as well as captain of her varsity cheerleading squad and soccer team. She is the daughter of Christi and Bruce Cates of Rome.
Gardner has taken 19 AP and Honors courses. He is a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Honor Society and the varsity soccer team. He also serves on the Y-Cabinet, the Honor Council Executive Committee and as head residential prefect of Neville House. A recipient of the Harvard Club Award, Gardner has served as a Senate page and participated in a Columbia University summer program in Barcelona, Spain. He is the son of Chris and Jeff Gardner of Dallas, Texas.
Jones has taken 18 AP and Honors courses and has received E.L. Wright Awards for Economics, AP World History, Honors English 2 and Honors Ancient History. Jones is a member of Spanish Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, the Servant Leadership Committee, Coosa Junior Golf Academy and the varsity golf team. He is the son of Joan and Douglas Jones of Rydal, Ga.
Liu has taken nine AP and Honors courses and serves as academic prefect in Moser House. He is a member of Mu Alpha Theta and serves as captain of the varsity math team. Liu also plays violin in the Orchestra and plays basketball. He is the son of Jane Gao and Frank Liu of Beijing, China.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top 5% of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition by taking the 2014 PSAT/NMSQT.
