By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Jacob Virgin may not be in a class totally by himself. But it certainly doesn’t take long to call roll.
Virgin became one of just a small handful of Union City High School students to ever be named a National Merit Scholar Finalist – one of but 15,000 from 1.6 million students representing 22,000 high schools across the nation to receive the honor this year.
The UCHS senior, who scored in the top 1 percent in the country on the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test), was informed of his status Thursday morning.
The news brought about a large ovation from Virgin’s classmates and he was later presented official notification of his status by UCHS guidance counselor Martha Townes.
Virgin, who had already been named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist last fall, is one of a select few from Union City High School to ever earn the honor from the distinguished organization in its 64-year history, according to Townes.
The Merit Scholar test is made up mostly of math and reading, with some science applications. It is recommended at UCHS for those who take Honors and AP (Advanced Placement) classes.
Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
Around half of the 15,000 finalists will receive scholarship money from the NMSP, that notification to come next month.
“It really took me by surprise when I heard it on the announcements this morning,” Virgin grinned Thursday afternoon. “I’d been waiting to hear something for a little while, and when they announced it and people in my class started clapping, it was just really nice to get the recognition.”
Jacob is awaiting word from Vanderbilt — his first college choice – and has already been accepted to SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design).
“I hope to hear from Vanderbilt in the next week or so and just believe that’s the best option for me,” he said. “I plan on studying film-making right now, but if I change my mind, I feel like I’ll be OK there because it is such a well-rounded university with so many other great programs, too.”
Townes, who has been in touch with an archive representative of the Merit Scholar Program to see exactly how many past UCHS students earned the honor, couldn’t hide her excitement over Virgin’s accomplishment.
“This is the best thing about my job — getting to see someone who’s worked as hard as Jacob receive this type of honor,” she said. “Getting to spread good news like this about deserving young people is so rewarding.
“I love that he didn’t know until today when we made morning announcements and that I got to give him his official notification.”
Equally as impressive as Virgin’s academic prowess is his care and respect for his classmates and friends.
Case in point: Having recently made a 35 on his latest ACT attempt, he insisted he’d not try for a perfect 36 score on the standardized test used for college admission.
The reason?
His friend and classmate, Brad Schlager, recently scored that perfect 36 and rightfully received widespread publicity for the accomplishment.
Jacob didn’t want to anything to take away from that.
“It’s awesome that Brad made a 36 and I’m proud for him,” Virgin said. “It’s great that he did.”
Townes added to the story.
“When I asked him why he didn’t take it one more time and try for the perfect score, he just said: ‘Brad’s a good guy. He and he alone deserves that recognition.’”
Truly the words of a gentleman and a scholar.
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