HTHS student named National Merit Finalist

Jones Preg, a senior at Hewitt-Trussville High School, has been named a National Merit Finalist. The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition that recognizes and rewards the academic achievements of high school students across the United States. 

Preg is one of only 15,000 students who have been named a National Merit Finalist, out of a pool of 1.5 million students who entered the competition. Preg is being recognized for his exceptional academic achievements, including his outstanding performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). 

Preg has been a standout student throughout his time at HTHS, maintaining an impressive 4.4 GPA while taking challenging Advanced Placement courses. He has also been involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, including drum major for the HTHS Marching Husky Band, principal clarinet in the Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra, member of the National Honor Society and secretary for the Math Honorary Society. 

Preg now has the opportunity to compete for one of 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million. These scholarships will be awarded to students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in college and beyond. 

“I am honored to have been named a National Merit Finalist,” Preg said. “I’m so grateful to God for giving me this opportunity, and I truly would not have made it to this point without constant encouragement from amazing teachers, counselors, parents and friends.” 

He plans to attend Auburn University in the fall, where he will study chemical engineering and continue exploring his passion for music. 

– Submitted by Whitney Preg.