Copperas Cove High School senior named National Merit Scholar Semi-finalist
Cove High School senior named National Merit Scholar Semi-finalist
Special to Leader-Press
Copperas Cove High School senior Isabella Childers is one of only 16,000 students in the nation selected as a National Merit Scholar Semi-finalist in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
After accepting invitations to tour specific universities she was interested in attending, Childers settled on Rice University where she accepted a full scholarship covering all college expenses.
“I’m hoping to double major in Statistics and Economics,” Childers said. “Ultimately, I want to become a corporate financial analyst because I love to problem-solve and I want to dedicate myself to advocating for more sustainable business practices.”
Childers is currently ranked number one in the 2020 graduating class with a 4.985 GPA and is enrolled in a mixture of dual credit and advanced placement classes. But, if you think all Childers does is study to achieve this academic success, think again.
“I like to stay busy, so I’m involved in a lot of different extra-curricular activities. I enjoy competing in UIL Ready Writing and Copy Editing, and I also do UIL Informative Speech,” Childers said. “In addition to competing, I’m student council president, senior class secretary, debate captain, and a member of National Honor Society. I also offer free tutoring services for anyone who needs extra help in school.”
Childers was selected in the first group of students for the CCISD Youth Council when she was only a seventh grader and has continued to excel. She says her parents have had a huge influence on her success.
“They worked with me as I was growing up to foster an interest in learning. My mom would sit me down at the kitchen table every night, making sure that I did my homework and helping me whenever I needed it. My dad would read to me before I went to bed until I got old enough to read to myself,” Childers said. “They’ve always been supportive, but never pushy, which gave me the freedom to develop my own motivations. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have them.”
Childers has an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.