One exceptional student from Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School has earned one of the nation’s most prestigious academic honors. Senior Elizabeth Megson has been named a National Merit Scholar in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program, placing her among the top high school students in the United States.
Elizabeth is the recipient of a college-sponsored National Merit University of Tulsa Scholarship, awarded pursuant to an agreement between the University of Tulsa and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®). This full-ride scholarship will cover the entirety of her college tuition, room, board, and related expenses. Elizabeth plans to major in Engineering Physics, with aspirations to pursue robotics and space exploration.
The 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program began in October 2023, when high school juniors across the country took the PSAT/NMSQT®, the initial screening test for program entrants. From among 1.3 million participants, only about 16,000 Semifinalists were selected on a state-representational basis, representing less than one percent of all U.S. high school seniors. To advance to the Finalist level, students had to meet rigorous academic and extracurricular standards, submit a comprehensive scholarship application, and demonstrate a strong academic record.
Of those Semifinalists, over 15,000 students became Finalists, and approximately 6,930 will be named National Merit Scholars in 2025, collectively receiving nearly $26 million in scholarships funded by NMSC and its sponsors.
Founded in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a not-for-profit organization established to identify and honor scholastically talented youth and encourage academic excellence. Most National Merit Scholarships are underwritten by approximately 280 corporate and college sponsors who share NMSC’s commitment to recognizing and supporting outstanding students.
Elizabeth Megson’s achievements exemplify the values of excellence and ambition nurtured at Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School.
Photo Credit: Charley Kietzman
