A West Virginia student has been named a semifinalist for a national academic scholarship.
As a semifinalist Mariam Kisto, a senior at George Washington High School in Charleston, will receive a $3,200 scholarship from the National Honor Society (NHS).
Chosen from nearly 17,000 applicants, the NHS is awarding $2 million in scholarships to 600 NHS students. The scholarships recognize students who exemplify the four pillars of NHS membership: scholarship, service, leadership and character.
Kisto is the only recipient in West Virginia of an NHS scholarship this year. She was surprised to discover she was the only recipient in the state.
“There’s so many people around me that I know for a fact also deserve it,” Kisto said. “But yeah, it’s really an honor.”
Kisto has not made a final decision of what university she will be attending in the fall, but she said the award now allows her to consider more colleges as an option.
“I want a good computer science program,” Kisto said. “I am considering different schools, and this scholarship will definitely, definitely help pay for it.”
Kisto said she appreciates the opportunities NHS has allowed her to help make her community and school a better place and hoped that the same can be true for future members.
“It really is a good opportunity and it’s never a loss to try joining NHS or any other club,” she said. “I hope that people will be encouraged.”
