The area is home to four academicallyhigh-performing high school students.

    Emily Vaughn, Jordan Nettles, Christal Davis and Colton Welch areall National Merit Finalists.

    Finalists were chosen from about 1.5 million students in more than22,000 high schools nationwide. The number of semifinalists, whichis approximately 16,000, makes up less than 1 percent of Americanhigh school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants ineach state.

    Semifinalists and finalists will have the opportunity for more than$34 million in National Merit Scholarships offered in thespring.

 

Jordan Nettles

 

    Nettles, a Wesson Attendance Center senior, said it’s been athrilling experience for her.

    “It’s really exciting because I’m going to have a lot ofscholarships opportunities that I wouldn’t have had before and Iworked hard for it,” said Nettles.”

    To Nettles, she couldn’t have arrived at where she is without somehelp.

    “My parents and my teachers helped me to get where I am and Iappreciate that,” said Nettles.

    Nettles has kept busy by playing soccer and tennis and being on thestudent council and serving as president of her school’s StudentsAgainst Destructive Decisions.

    “I’m not sure yet, but I’m thinking about starting atCopiah-Lincoln Community College and then going to SouthernMississippi and majoring in music education and minor inpsychology,” she said about her college plans.

 

Emily Vaughn

 

    Vaughn, originally of Clinton but currently a student at theMississippi School of the Arts, said it was her dedication that ledto her success.

    “A lot of hard work paid off for me,” said Vaughn.

    To be a finalist, students were required to write an essay and takethe SAT.

    “My essay was about my dad and I and experiences that helped makeme who I am,” said Vaughn.

    Her experience at MSA has helped her grow as well.

    “Going to school at MSA helped me to grow up some because I was nolonger at home,” said Vaughn.

    Vaughn plans to attend Mississippi State after graduation.

    “In college I’m looking at biological engineering, but I’m alsoconsidering architecture,” said Vaughn.

 

Colton Welch

 

    Welch, a senior at West Lincoln Attendance Center, said being aNational Merit Finalist wasn’t something he planned on, but he isglad it happened.

    “I was surprised,” said Welch on how he responded when he firstheard the news. “I wasn’t really expecting it, but I wasexcited.”

    Welch attributes his accomplishment to hard work and reading.

    “I definitely studied a lot for it,” said Welch. “But the biggestthing was that I read all the time. I’d like to thank my parentsfor being supportive and there for me.”

    While not completely sure on his future plans, Welch said he hasalways wanted to be a neurologist.

    “I got accepted to Yale, which is my dream school, and if thingswork out I’ll go there,” said Welch. “If not, I got a goodscholarship offer from Tulane University in New Orleans.”

 

Christal Davis

 

    Davis, a senior at Wesson Attendance Center, said to her, beingsuccessful isn’t something that’s given to you.

    “Being successful doesn’t just come naturally,” said Davis. “If youput hard work into something you can get anywhere. I think you makea choice to be successful at something, and if you work hard, youwill be.”

    For many people having some guidance goes a long way, Davissaid.

    “Albert Brown (a teacher at Wesson Attendance Center) has been veryinspirational to me,” said Davis. “He’s taught me to be myself andfollow my heart and what I want to do.”

    Davis plans to be a Rebel this fall.

    “I’m going to go to Ole Miss this fall and major in politicalscience,” said Davis. “I’m not sure exactly what I want to do withthat, but I know I want to help people.”