Hyer reaches heights academically

RCS senior Jacob Hyer is among the top students academically in the nation.

The senior was recently named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist by the National Merit Scholarship Program. As such, he is among the top 1.2 percent of student scholars in the nation who took the PSAT exam last year.

Hyer – who takes part in the New Visions Program where he is taking courses in the Scientific Research World Health Program – competed with more than 1.3 million other students nationally to be in the top percentage points in the country and qualify for the honor.

A list of 15,000 finalists will be named in February and they will compete for 2,500 National Merit Scholarships, 1,100 corporate-sponsored scholarships and 4,400 college-awarded scholarships and awards.

Hyer is the son of Howard and Mary Hyer of South Bethlehem.

Scholarship and award winners will be announced in the spring.

Fellow RCS senior Jason Gallagher was named a commended student by the National Merit Scholarship program.

The honor recognizes Gallagher as among the top 50,000 scorers on the exam.