Two CCHS seniors named National Merit Semifinalists

WHEELING — Two seniors at Wheeling Central Catholic High School have been named National Merit Semifinalists in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program. Trisha L. Fultz, daughter of Lyle and Theresa Fultz of Wheeling, and Regina “Gina” M. Lasure, daughter of Rex Lasure and Nancy Endrizzi of Wheeling, are among the 16,000 semi-finalists in the 53rd Annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Trisha Fultz is a member of the CCHS Cross Country team, Drama team, Teens for Life, Peer Ministry Group, Guys and Girls United To Serve (GUTS), St. Michael Parish Youth Group, and the Bishop’s Youth Board. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. Fultz recently received a first place ranking in West Virginia for the National Spanish Level II Exam, earning a national gold medal, and was awarded Central Catholic High School’s Tom Schell Scholarship.

Gina Lasure is a member of the CCHS Volleyball team, Drama Team, Teens for Life, Perry Ministry Group, GUTS, and the St. Michael Parish Youth Group. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. Lasure recently received a first place ranking in West Virginia for the National Spanish Level III Exam, earning a national gold medal. This past summer, she was selected to attend the three-week Governor’s Honors Academy (GHA) held at Fairmont State University for West Virginia’s junior scholar students.

More than 1.4 million high school juniors across the U.S. entered the Merit Scholarship program by taking the 2006 PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. As semi-finalists, Fultz and Lasure now have the opportunity to move on to the final competition and the chance to earn one of 8,200 Merit Scholarships that will be awarded spring 2008.

Wheeling Central has been fortunate to have seven students selected as finalists in the National Merit Award competition over the past 10 years. Donna Niggemyer, CCHS college placement counselor, says the goal of the National Merit Scholarship program is to promote scholastic excellence and identify individual students who exemplify such qualities.

“National Merit has become synonymous with the highest academic distinction a U.S. high school student can achieve,” Niggemyer said. “Here at Central Catholic, we are committed to the program and encourage not only juniors but all sophomores to sit for the PSAT/NMSQT exam.”

The faculty’s commitment to academic excellence is also evident by the $4.5 million in 4-year scholarships and grants awarded to last year’s 90 CCHS graduates.

With a foundation dating back to the 19th century, a faith-based education stands as the hallmark of Wheeling Central Catholic High School. Located in the heart of The Friendly City, Wheeling Central is proud of its 420-member student body and their outstanding academic, athletic, and community service achievements. One of seven Catholic High Schools in West Virginia, Wheeling Central is where championship lives begin.