Jefferson’s Owen Woods is a National Merit Scholar

Jefferson High School senior Owen Woods is a National Merit Scholarship winner. Woods is one of 46 Minnesota students among 2,500 high school seniors across the country to receive this prestigious $2,500 scholarship. The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition recognizing outstanding students based on their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in college. 

The selection process for this year’s scholarships began in 2023 when more than 1.3 million students entered the program as juniors by taking the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) exam, which serves as the initial screening of program entrants. Bloomington Public Schools (BPS) offers all juniors the opportunity to take the PSAT during the school day; nearly 200 BPS students take the PSAT each fall.

Woods and other scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors. Students were judged on their academic record, PSAT scores, leadership in school, and community activities.