Wittenbach Selected as National Merit Semifinalist

September 15, 2011

Belding High School Senior Elizabeth Wittenbach was selected as a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.  She was one of 16,000 students selected across the nation and the only one in Ionia or Montcalm counties.
Wittenbach and the pool of semifinalists represent less than one percent of high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants of the 2010 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.  About 1.5 million high school juniors entered the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking this test, which serves as the initial screening for program entrants. 

To become a finalist, Wittenbach must fulfill several requirements including an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm her earlier performance on the qualifying test.  About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship and earn the Merit Scholar title.

“This is definitely a point of pride for our school and community,” said Brett Zuver, Belding High School principal.  “All of the staff at Belding High School and throughout the district are so proud of her and her achievements so far.”

Wittenbach has lived in Belding all her life.  Her parents, Mike and Marnie Wittenbach, are Belding natives as well.  Her father owns and operates Wittenbach Orchards and her mother is a physical therapist.  She is the oldest of three children.  Her brother Tye is a sophomore at Belding High School and her sister Victoria is in the sixth grade at Belding Middle School.  Outside of academics, she is very active in the Belding High School marching band and drama club.  She enjoys playing the piano and is active in her church.
“We’re rooting for Elizabeth to go all the way,” said Superintendent Leslie Mount.  “We know she has the potential to become a Merit Scholar.  It’s wonderful to see such a kind and hardworking student receive this elite recognition.”