A senior at St. Margaret’s School has earned recognition as a result of her outstanding performance on the 2004 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Sydney Harris, daughter of Ira and Denise Harris of Tappahannock, is one of 1,600 semifinalists in the 42nd annual National Achievement Scholarship Program for Black American high school students. She was selected from among more than 130,000 entrants on the basis of her outstanding PSAT/NMSQT scores, and now has the opportunity to continue in the competition for one of 800 Achievement Scholarship awards worth a total of $2.5 million.

In addition, the National Merit Scholarship Program named Sydney a Commended Student for scoring in the top 5% of test-takers. Head of School Margaret R. Broad recently presented her with an official Letter of Commendation in recognition of her exceptional academic promise.

Sydney is the third St. Margaret’s student in two years to win recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. A three-year student at SMS, she rows on the varsity crew team, sits on the Honor Council, serves as yearbook co-editor and heads the student peace education organization.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation administers both the National Achievement and National Merit scholarship programs. These annual academic competitions encourage high school students to pursue rigorous college studies, promote a wider and deeper respect for learning and for extremely talented individuals, and stimulate increased support for the education of scholastically able students.