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Home > Blogs > Hamilton Schools News and Issues > Archives > 2010 > March > 02 > Entry
Two Badin students named National Merit Scholarship finalists
Michael Begovich and Jake Woodward, seniors at Badin High School, have been named finalists in the 55th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment for each of these young men,’’ said Frank Margello, Badin principal. “They are outstanding students and this test success shows that they have what it takes to achieve at all levels beyond Badin High School.”
Begovich is the son of Joseph and Pamela Begovich of West Chester and a graduate of St. Julie Billiart School.
Woodward is the son of Robert and Brenda Woodward of Fairfield and a graduate of Sacred Heart School.
Finalists are now eligible for some of the $36 million in National Merit Scholarship dollars that will be offered in the spring. They are in rarefied air - as juniors, more than 1.5 million students took the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT), which serves as the initial program screen for the scholarship dollars. Less than 1 percent of those students are finalists throughout the country, and about 8,200 National Merit Scholarships are awarded nationwide.
“It’s always been my goal to get a full ride to college,’’ Woodward said. “Being a National Merit finalist is a big thing.”
Woodward plans to attend either Ohio State or the University of Cincinnati - he has been accepted into the Honors Program at both schools - and major in Political Science, with a focus on globalization studies. He wants to go to law school after earning his undergraduate degree.
Begovich is still deciding between five potential schools — the University of Cincinnati, the University of Dayton, Ohio State, Rose Hulman Institute or Xavier University - and plans to study science or engineering.
“I still haven’t decided yet,’’ Begovich said. “I know that I have enjoyed every science that I’ve investigated.”
“Jake and Michael are motivated students who have done well at Badin,’’ Margello said. “They are as ready as any students in the country to do well in college and beyond.”
“I’ve just always liked school and tried my best,’’ Woodward said when asked about his motivation to do well. “Some students don’t like school. I’ve always enjoyed it.”
“Originally I did well because my parents wanted me to,’’ Begovich said. “As I became more aware of things, I wanted to do well to prepare myself for what was ahead. I’m proud of myself for being good at it. But I always want to try to do better.”
Begovich added that he thought he had a great chance to be a National Merit finalist based on his PSAT scores, “but you’re never sure. Nothing’s set in stone. I’m just glad that all the work I’ve put in over the years to do as well as I can in school has paid off.”
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