Q & A with National Merit Semi-Finalist: Rachel Leksina

Students at Blair High School were chosen as National Merit semi-finalists. They are a part of 16,000 students nation-wide who scored high on their 2009 PSAT tests.  To be considered as a finalist, students will have to fulfill additional requirements. If students are chosen as a finalist by the appointed board, they then advance to the winner selection to receive scholarship money towards their college or university of choice.

Rachel Leksina, 17 year-old, was one of the students from Blair who sat down with Patch to talk about their accomplishment. Leksina enjoys school and is extremely active in school in the Math Science and Computer Science Magnet Program.

Patch: How do you feel about being nominated as a semi-finalist for the National Merit Scholarship?

Rachel Leksina: I feel very proud and also a bit intimated to be part something so large  comprised of such smart students.

Patch: What drives you to achieve in School and why?

R.L: My mom mainly who's very supportive in things that I like really like to do.

Patch: What's your favorite subject in school and why?

R.L: I really like my mathematical physics because my favorite teacher (Mr. Shafer) who teaches it and he makes even difficult topics really fun.

Patch: You were selected out of all the students in nation, how do you feel about this accomplishment?

R.L : I feel honored, though as I mentioned, also intimated. I saw scoring this high as a possibility but I was very surprised  to receive it. I do feel like many others in that my PSAT score is not really a very good representative of myself.

Patch: What are some of the school activities you enjoy?

R.L : I do a lot of activities that  I enjoy. I'm in the prime of my life and I'm loving it. I play the Melaphone in the marching band, art lessons and the Green Club. In the Green Club we get the word out about saving electricity.