Last week, Cornwall High School senior Kristina Hwang learned she’s a semifinalist in the 59th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Hwang is one of 16,000 individuals who will have an opportunity to win one of 8,000 scholarships worth a total of $35 million. Hwang became eligible for a scholarship when she scored a 221 on her PSAT, which she took last fall.
Prior to taking the exam, Hwang discussed, with her parents, the possibility of obtaining a scholarship.
“They wanted me to get into the semi-finals, so I did have it in the back of my mind,” said Hwang.
However, when she didn’t receive anything in the mail, Hwang assumed she didn’t qualify. It wasn’t until a few weeks into the school year that she received the good news.
“It was actually a surprise because I thought they would tell us before. I didn’t know the letters come out later in the year.”
When The Local spoke to Hwang, she had not yet logged in online to find out the specifics of the next step in the process. She knew she had to write an essay and have it submitted by the end of the month, but she was not aware of the topic. She said she was waiting until the weekend so she could sit down and really absorb the information.
“I have all weekend,” she said. “It’s not like I’m going to send a rough draft because it is for a pretty prestigious scholarship; so I do want to put time and effort into it. I figured it would be better to sit down and read through it and then draft some stuff rather than skimming through it for 10 minutes.”
To become a finalist, Hwang and her guidance counselor must submit a detailed scholarship application. Information to be provided includes: academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.
There’s no shortage of school activities in Hwang’s resume.
She has been a member of the math and academic teams all four years of high school and she volunteers as a junior coach for Girls on the Run. Hwang is also very involved in music. She’s been playing the violin since she was 3-years-old and joined the school orchestra in first grade. In fifth and sixth grade she tried playing the flute, but nearly passed out so her doctor suggested giving up the instrument. Hwang joined the high school band this year and opted to play the trombone. She hopes her previous experience as a swimmer has helped build up her stamina in the last six years. Hwang sang in the school chorus up through fourth grade, but had to give it up in middle school because the activity didn’t fit into her schedule. She rejoined the chorus in high school.
Hwang began swimming at a young age and joined the Sea Dragons in elementary school. She swam on the varsity during her sophomore year, but gave up the sport to spend more time studying for her AP classes.
The senior even had the opportunity to study in China for two years. Born in Queens, Hwang grew up speaking both Korean and English, but in fifth grade her parents thought it would be a good opportunity for her to study in China, a rapidly growing nation.
“My parents thought it would be a good advantage if I could speak Chinese. Immersion is supposedly the quickest way to learn a language.”
Hwang lived in China during sixth and seventh grade and became proficient in the language, but admits she has since forgotten a lot of what she learned.
National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced between April and July. Hwang hopes her name is announced, but isn’t getting her hopes up.
“I tend not to build myself up. I’m a bit of a pessimist in that sense. I try not to think about it. I’ll finish this to the best of my ability and see where that gets me.”
Growing up, Hwang dreamed of being a pediatrician, idolizing her own doctor, but she is now considering a career in psychology. She has yet to choose a college and says her list needs some shaving.
