Sara Swartout and Ben Wilder Achieve National Merit Scholar Finalist Honor

"It makes me very proud to announce that we have two seniors who have been recognized as National Merit Scholars. 

    Seniors Sara Swartout and Ben Wilder are two of the approximately 13,000 students who have been recognized nationwide. This accomplishment is even more amazing when you realize that over 160,000 students entered the National Achievement Program.

     This is a huge achievement for these outstanding students, their families and all the staff members who have had a hand in their education.

 The award of being a National Merit Finalist brings with it the opportunity for scholarships to some of the most prestigious colleges and universities around the country.

     I want to congratulate Sara and her parents Jeff and Linda, Ben and his father Mark, the entire staff of Whitewater Valley, Harrison Junior School and Harrison High School for a job well done.  

    As a community, this continues to show that our best students will match up with other top students across our nation."

        -Mr. Chris Brown, Superintendent of the Southwest Local School District

William Henry Harrison High School and the entire Southwest Local School District is so proud of these two fine students. When asked "What does it mean to be a National Merit Scholar Sara replied "It is pretty spiffy! It is an honor to receive this recognition and I wish Ben the best of luck in the competition." Ben replied "It is such an honor to receive this distinction. I would like to thank all my teachers for their support and wish the best to my co-finalist Sara. I just wish my mother were here to see it; I'm sure she'd be proud."  Indeed she would be Ben. We are all very proud of you two!

William Henry Harrison
High School
National Merit Finalists:

Christopher Sales-1969

Jeffrey Biddle-1975

Brent Poynter-1980

Lindsay Smith-1980

Paula Hurles-1983

Andrew McGuire-1991

Christy Brush-1992

Lisa Brush-1994

Henry Menninger1994

Laura Byrum-1995

Elizabeth Brogden-2002

Justin Lawler-2004

Justin Westrich-2005

Caroline Willis2005