“I’m going to California Polytechnic State University for Biomedical Engineering in the fall and I am pumped. Honestly I’m just excited to jump into this new environment. It’s something special to go into a new environment, but I’m excited to make new friends and have a good time. And, yeah, studying too– that’s a thing. I’m really going to miss all the great friends and connections I’ve made in Colorado and I’m a little nervous about going so far from my home state but I really think it’ll be a great opportunity. You know I didn’t even know what the scholarship was at first; I just took the PSAT because it was good prep. But when I got the news that I was a semifinalist, I got really excited. This was such a cool thing to be even considered for and I couldn’t believe that I was. Then I got into the finals and I thought, ‘Holy crap I could actually win something,’ which was exciting in itself. I think it was just a great experience all around, stress and all.”

-Kyle Ladtkow  

“I’m not certain which school I’m going to yet. I am, however, looking forward to taking more specialized classes that will let me study a subject in more depth. I’m both nervous and excited for the changes and independence of college. I had forgotten that the PSAT signed me up for the national merit scholarship, so it was very unexpected. I’m very fortunate to have received this scholarship and I’m so excited to use it in my education.”

-Will Ness