Caleb Gedney is a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Erik Hackman | News and Tribune
erik.hackman@newsandtribune.com

September 17, 2024

NEW ALBANY — A student from New Albany is among the 16,000 semifinalists announced in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Corporation competition.

In 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation started with the goals of identifying and honoring academically talented high school students, increasing support for their education and providing efficient program management for organizations that wish to sponsor college undergraduate scholarships.

To enter the National Merit Scholarship Program, a student has to take the PSAT exam. To become a semifinalist, the students have to score in the top 1% of all the people who took the PSAT.

To advance as a finalist, the semifinalist and a high school official will submit a scholarship application that will include the student’s academic record, participation in school and community activities and more.

Caleb Gedney, a senior at Christian Academy of Indiana, is one of the 16,000 semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

“I’m really thankful for this because it gives me the chance to get rewarded for the work I’ve done all the way leading up to this point,” Gedney said. “I’ve always done well in school. I’ve always put in the effort… it’s good to be recognized for that and I’m glad to rep my school.”

Both of Gedney’s grandfathers were math teachers and they motivated him to do well on the exam so that he could qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

He used a lot of time and effort to study for the exam. Because of this, when he took the exam, he found that it was easier than he originally anticipated.

Once he submits his scholarship application, if he is accepted to be a finalist he will receive a scholarship for $2,500.

As soon as Gedney learned that he was a semifinalist, his parents were the first people he told.

“My parents are really excited,” Gedney said. “They love that I get to do this.”

Gedney is also on the archery team, soccer team, in the theater program and is the treasurer for the student council at Christian Academy.

Ever since the eighth grade, Gedney has been on the archery team. During his time on the team, he has gone to state competition four times. Last year he won first in the state and went to nationals.

“I have really enjoyed being at Christian Academy,” Gedney said. “The standard here is more rigorous than at other schools. They expect a lot more from you, so you have to put more work in.”

The extra work that he had to do along with his teachers and counselors helped Gedney stay motivated to do well on the PSAT.

For the juniors that are getting ready for their PSAT and senior year, Gedney offered some advice.

“You need to really take it seriously. If you put in the work, it can pay off if you go for it. Take your education seriously and put in the effort for it,” he said.