Houghton grad named National Merit Scholar
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HOUGHTON -- A new Houghton High School graduate is one of this year's 7,500 National Merit Scholars.
Brian Knewtson was one of nearly 70 Michigan students to receive the honor.
"I was hoping to get it two years ago when I took the PSAT, so it's exciting, knowing that I made it," he said. "It's been a long wait to find out."
The process began in 2019, when 1.5 million juniors took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship qualifying test. Knewtson narrowly crossed the threshold, he said.
Last fall, the field was winnowed to 17,000 students, allocated by state in proportion to each state's percentage of graduating seniors.
About 16,000 of those became finalists. To advance, semifinalists had to submit a detailed scholarship application, including an essay and information about extracurricular activities, awards and leadership positions. They also needed to have an outstanding academic record, and be endorsed and recommended by a high school official.
Family and friends have been happy for him, Knewtson said.
"A lot of people aren't really surprised, because they know that I'm high-achieving, or that I work hard and strive academically," he said.
Originally from the Mt. Pleasant area, he moved to Houghton in sixth grade when his mother got a job as professor at Michigan Technological University. He enjoyed the educational experience at Houghton.
"There's a lot of opportunity, there's a lot of Advanced Placement classes, and stuff you can do in testing out, and the teachers are very supportive and they know what they're doing," he said.
He received a $750 National Merit Scholarship. This fall, Knewtson plans to attend Hillsdale College, a private, co-ed liberal arts college in Hillsdale, Michigan.
Though Hillsdale does not accept the National Merit Scholarship, as it does not accept federal aid, it does account for the honor in its own scholarships, Knewtson said.
Knewtson will start with a history major, though he might later move to a major in business or mathematics.
"I'm best at math, and I'm really good at science, but I enjoy history and literature more," he said. "I like to read and learn about stuff. But I like to learn about everything."