Seniors Isabel Bonnyman, Garrett Brown and Alexandra Dodd have been named semifinalists in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program. Approximately 16,000 scholastically talented high school students have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards, worth more than $35 million.
“Isabel, Garrett and Alexandra are outstanding members of the Darlington Community, and we are extremely proud of their accomplishments,” said Dr. Mark Carleton, associate headmaster and director of Upper School. “It is quite an honor to earn semifinalist status in the National Merit Program, and we wish them the best of luck in competing for these scholarships in the spring. They are all successful students, strong leaders, and great candidates overall.”
Bonnyman is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the National Thespian Society and French Honor Society, and has taken 21 Honors and AP classes during her high school career. A Furman University Scholar, she has also received the E.L. Wright Scholastic Award for French III, the McKemie-Wilkinson Passion Award, the University of Rochester Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglas Award, the D.A.R. Medal for U.S. History, and the Yale Book Award. Bonnyman is an admission liaison and a member of the Scholar Bowl team, French Club, Student Support Team, S.O.A.R., Amnesty International and IMPACT. She has participated in several school drama productions, and frequently volunteers with community organizations such as the Open Door Home, Boys & Girls Club, Rome Area Council for the Arts, McHenry Elementary School and Chieftains Museum, to name a few. She has also taken part in several summer programs for college credit, including the HOBY Leadership Program and coursework at the Art Institute of Chicago. She is the daughter of Jean and Al Bonnyman of Rome.
Brown is a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Tri-M Music Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, and has taken 13 Honors and AP classes during his high school career. A Presbyterian College Fellow, he has also received the E.L. Wright Scholastic Award for Percussion Ensemble, the McKemie-Wilkinson Steel Band Scholarship Award, the George W. Awsumb Award, and earned GISA All-State recognition for vocal and instrumental music. Brown has served as an academic prefect and a religious life prefect for Neville House. He has also participated in several school drama productions, and is a member of the Chorus, Random Notes, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Stadium Band and Steel Drum Band. An Eagle Scout, he frequently volunteers with community organizations such as the Open Door Home and United Way, and enrolled in the NYLF Leadership in Medicine Program in 2007. He is the son of Valerie and Vann Brown of Cloudland, Ga.
Dodd is a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Spanish Honor Society, and has taken 15 Honors and AP classes. A Furman University Scholar, she has also received the Darlington Parents Association Award, the Sewanee Club Award and the Kipp-Tillman Memorial Award. Dodd has been a member of the Math Team, Science Club, Concert Choir, Concert Band, Stadium Band, and has participated in several school musicals. She is also a member of the varsity rowing, swimming, track and volleyball teams. She frequently volunteers with community organizations such as the Hospitality House and is very involved with her church. Dodd has also taken part in several summer programs for college credit, including Duke Marine Lab and coursework at Washington University in St. Louis. She is the daughter of Julia and Gayland Dodd of Rome.
About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title. To become a finalist, a semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout the high school years, be endorsed and recommended by the school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier qualifying test performance. The student must also submit a self-descriptive essay and information about participation and leadership in school and community activities.
Seniors Kathryn Aldrich of Charlotte, N.C., Rachel Buckle of Acworth, Ga., and Jackie Pober of Daphne, Ala., were named Commended Students in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program. Though they will not continue in the competition, they placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered.
