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August 31, 2012

Esters receives National Merit Scholarship

Submitted by Dalton Public Schools

The National Merit Scholarship Corp. has named Katelyn Esters a National Merit Scholarship winner. She is attending the University of Georgia, and was selected for their college-sponsored award of between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study. She is a 2012 graduate of Dalton High School.

Esters joins 4,500 college-sponsored award recipients, representing 197 colleges and universities across the country. These distinguished high school graduates will receive scholarships for undergraduate study worth a total of more than $35 million. The competition for National Merit Scholarships begins when students take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Semifinalists are named on a state representational basis in numbers proportional to each state’s percentage of the national total of graduating high school seniors. Semifinalists were the highest-scoring program entrants in each state and represented less than 1 percent of the nation’s seniors. To become a finalist, each semifinalist must submit a detailed scholarship application, including an essay and describing their leadership positions and contributions in school and community activities, showing an outstanding academic record, and being endorsed and recommended by a high school office.

Semifinalists also had to take the SAT and earn scores that confirm their performance on the initial qualifying test. From the semifinalist group, about 15,000 attained finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists were chosen to receive the National Merit Scholarship.

Esters plans to study biology and would like to work in the research field.

“I would love to be able to make biology and related subjects more accessible to children, either through books or other means, who may not otherwise be exposed to the wonder that comes from learning about the sciences,” Esters said.

Esters received a full International Baccalaureate Diploma and was an Advanced Placement Scholar. She was named a Platinum Student and received the Spanish Student of the Year award in 2012 and 2009. She received Honors for Academic Achievement from 2008 to 2011.

Esters was active in the Catamount marching band and served as flute section leader. She also was the orchestral coordinator at Dalton High from 2009-2012. She was active in Mock trial as a lead attorney for the last two years, and she was Dalton High team captain and events coordinator for Odyssey of the Mind in 2010.

She was a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, Philosophy Club, Symphonic Band, Thespian Society and the Drama Club where she participated in the One-Act Play Competition. She also participated in the Governor’s Honors Program. Esters served as a translator for the community pre-kindergarten registration program. She is the daughter of Will and Laure Esters.

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