From left: Elizabeth Tatum and Reagan Crow Photo By: Andy Adams/Lufkin ISD
Two Lufkin High School students have been named Commended Students in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. According to a press release sent to the school by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, Elizabeth Tatum and Reagan Crow are among about 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation who are being recognized for their exceptional promise. These students scored in the top 50,000 students who entered the 2022 competition by taking the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
“This is a very proud day for Panther Nation as we celebrate the academic accomplishments of Elizabeth Tatum and Reagan Crow. According to the NMSP statistics a “Commended Scholar” is a recognition reserved for the top 3-4 percent of students in the State of Texas or the 96th percentile (top 50,000 highest scorers),” said Dr. Andre Emmons, Lufkin High School Principal.
Upon finding out that she received the recognition, Reagan said, “I was so excited! This is a huge achievement and I felt honored to have been in the top 50,000.”
“It made all the stress and hard work worth something tangible,” said Elizabeth.
When asked if the girls have any advice for younger students taking the test, Beth said, “Stress has no place in a testing room. Trust and believe in yourself.”
Reagan suggested taking the test at school before the student’s junior year and to find practice tests online.
Reagan enjoys reading and doing labs through the STEM Academy. She volunteers with the Interact Club, National Honor Society, and the Animal Rights Club. She wants to major in Biology and plans to enter an honors program and take a pre-med track. She wants to achieve her dream of being a medical examiner. Reagan is the daughter of Lisa Crow.
Elizabeth is one of the co-band drum majors for the Lufkin Panther Band. She’s involved in robotics, theatre, and UIL competition including Computer Science, Current Events and Math. She plans on majoring in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science. Her parents are Shelly and Scott Tatum.
“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
“Reaching the status of Commended Scholar is a result of the academic excellence and fortitude of both of these young ladies. Please join us in congratulating them on this outstanding achievement,” said Emmons.