Nacogdoches High School has its second consecutive National Merit Scholar.
Vivyan Nieberding, currently ranked No. 1 in the NHS Class of 2023, learned last week she received the award.
Vivyan already has plans to attend the University of Michigan in the fall. The National Merit award will provide her with additional opportunities for scholarships.
“There are many more chances for scholarships,” she said. “And I’ll use it to apply for scholarships in the future.”
Being named a National Merit Scholar comes with a $2,500 award as well as additional offers. The 2,500 Merit Scholar designees were chosen nationwide from a pool of more than 15,000 Finalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program.
A year ago, NHS grad Nyssa Galatas was named a National Merit Scholar.
“Nacogdoches High School has had two consecutive National Merit Scholars,” said Principal Stephen Autrey. “Let that soak in for a moment… two consecutive National Merit Scholars.
“Congratulations to Vivyan; I’m proud of her and I’m proud of this school. Vivyan – and Nyssa last year – are indicative of the quality of Nacogdoches High School.”
Vivyan’s future includes politics, she said in February after being named a National Merit finalist. She hopes to either be running for office herself or managing campaigns – “I want to make the world better,” she said.
Michigan provides one of the best political science schools in the nation, she said.
Vivyan swam with the Nacogdoches High School team and is part of the Ambush Swimming Club here. She participated in cross examination debate for four years and with the Lincoln-Douglas debate team this year. She’s also part of the UIL Academic team that qualified for state competition in Current Events.
Vivyan is an Ohio native and has lived 10 years in Nacogdoches.
The National Merit program begins with roughly 1.5 million entrants and was pared down to 16,000 students in September before being trimmed to the 15,000 Finalists announced in February.