The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that dates back to 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT. Approximately 1.5 million students entered the program, and of that, the 50,000 top scores qualify. About 34,000 of these 50,000 receive letters praising their academic success. Whitley Lehr, senior at DCHS, was rewarded with one of these letters of commendation, meaning Whitley placed among the top five percent of the 1.5 million competitors.

“I was really surprised when I got it, but I’m really happy because I worked hard and I’m glad it paid off,” Whitley said.  “I’m a Commended Scholar, which means I did not actually score high enough to become a semifinalist, but I still received a commendation.”

This letter is an extreme honor for Whitley and Delphi Community High School.