Congratulations to O'Connell senior Grace Halford who has been named a Finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP). This milestone makes her eligible for one of approximately 7,500 Merit Scholarships administered by the NMSP program. She became a semi-finalist last fall, based on her performance on the 2015 PSAT/NMSQT.
In addition to her challenging course work at Bishop O'Connell, Grace has undertaken an independent science research project focused on bacteria growth over the past three years. She has also been involved in the robotics club, working at a robotics camp in the summer, as well. She has volunteered at the Missionaries of Charity in Washington, D.C., and at a Catholic bookstore in Virginia. Most recently, she has been sharing her talents as a member of the entertainment committee for the upcoming Superdance—O'Connell's 12-hour dance marathon dedicated to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis.
Grace is headed to Wellesley College in Massachusetts this fall where she plans on studying bio-chemistry, eventually pursuing a career in the field of bio-technology.
Photo (l to r) - Sister Catherine Hill '66 (Dean of Academics), Grace Halford, Carl Patton (Assistant Head of School), and Dr. Joseph Vorbach (Head of School).