McCracken County Public Schools is proud to announce that Daniel Crouse, a senior at McCracken County High School, has been named a National Merit® $2500 Scholarship Winner by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®).
Daniel is one of only 2,500 Merit Scholar designees selected from a nationwide talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. This prestigious honor places Daniel among the top academic achievers in the country.
National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners are selected for their exceptional academic records, standardized test scores, school and community involvement, leadership, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Winners are the Finalists judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments and potential in each state.
“Daniel is an exceptional student and a dedicated leader,” said McCracken County High School Principal Jonathan Smith. “His hard work and academic excellence have made a lasting impact on our school community, and we are incredibly proud of this well-deserved recognition.”
Daniel’s scholarship is a single-payment award that can be used at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university. These scholarships are primarily funded by NMSC, with support from corporate sponsors and the NMSC President’s Fund.
The National Merit Scholarship Program began in October 2023 when high school juniors across the country took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). From there, over 16,000 high-scoring participants were named Semifinalists. More than 15,000 advanced to Finalist status, and ultimately, just 2,500 were chosen to receive the $2500 scholarship based on academic merit and rigorous selection criteria.