Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation last week announced the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 70^th annual National Merit  Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to  continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. 

South Panola High School senior Meredith Cossey was named as a Semifinalist, just the third student in the district’s history to receive a nomination and the first since 2008.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship  award,  Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.  About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title. 

Cossey, 18, is the daughter of  Dr. Jay and Kyra Cossey. She has accumulated a 4.40 GPA and registered a 35 superscore on the ACT.

She plans to attend Mississippi State University majoring in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Mathematics. Cossey is a member of Calvary Baptist Church and participates in Youth Praise Team as well as volunteers in the children’s ministry

Her extracurricular activities include participation in the Batesville Sub-Deb Cotillion program (10th grade representative and 12th grade chaplain), being a SPSH HOBY Youth Leadership representative, a member of the National Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and the Leo Club.

Cossey is also a four-year member of the Tigers girls golf team.