Originally Published: March 2, 2026

Jackson County High School's Drake Cersey has been named a Finalist for the National Merit Scholarship. To be named a finalist for this prestigious honor, students must  submit an application, be in very high academic standing, write an essay, be endorsed and recommended by their school principal, and earn a score on either the SAT or ACT exams that confirms the PSAT performance. Finalists are then selected for National Merit Scholarships, which are awarded beginning in Mid-March.