Vandebilt student named Merit Scholar Semifinalist

Vandebilt Catholic High School senior Hayden Cagle has been official recognized as a National Merit Semifinalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in the Sixty-second Annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Approximately 1.6 million juniors from over 22,000 high schools entered the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2015 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as the initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists for the scholarship consists of the highest-scoring entrants in each state and represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

The number of Semifinalists for each state is determined by the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

Earning consideration for the National Merit Scholarship was something that Hayden worked for and was determined to do going into the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test because colleges tend to reward those that make. He made sure he was well-prepared by studying a giant prep book for the test.

That hard work in his preparation has obviously paid off in a big way. He said he’s thrilled to receive the recognition.

“It’s an honor definitely,” he said. “Not that many people get something like that, so I definitely feel honored to be one of those people.”

Going forward, Hayden is weighing his options for college: Louisiana State University, Nicholls State University, and University of Louisiana-Lafayette. However, he is currently leaning towards ULL with plans to major in biology, pre-medicine and eventually go on to medical school, but he’s not sure which type of doctor he would like to be just yet. This desire stems from the love for the sciences Hayden has developed over the years of his education.

“I like the sciences the best because it’s something applicable to the real world,” he said.

Hayden said his parents, Sam and Madeline Cagle, have made a significant impact on his life thus far in shaping him into who he is today.

“They show the importance of being able to value what I’m given at school, value my faith, and how to succeed and push yourself to do your best, but stay humble at the same time,” said Hayden.

His parents have also played a key role in fostering the love for learning that has gotten him to this significant achievement.

“Hayden’s academic achievements are rooted in his own desires to do well,” they said. “However, as parents, we have tried to foster a love for learning and reading in our home. We limit screen time of all sorts and try to saturate our house with books, encouraging Hayden and his siblings to read deeply.”

Vandebilt has a history of seeing students make it to this stage of the National Merit Scholarship Program, so guidance counselor Wendy Matherne knows what it takes to achieve this honor.

“I felt that Hayden had a good chance because he’s always valued education and his parents have always valued education,” Matherne said. “He had a vision and I knew that he was well on his way.”

It’s not all studying and taking tests for Hayden though. He’s involved with several campus clubs, including the cross country team, and does a lot of things outside of school as well. Mrs. Matherne says, “His family has shown him that you can have it all with good time management.”

Vandebilt Catholic fully expects Hayden to be named as a National Merit Finalist when those are announced in the spring. •

Hayden Cagle