Wichita State University has selected the top 14 finalists in the annual Distinguished Scholarship Invitational (DSI):
●Tiana Marion, Salina South High School
●Amani Moore, Byron Nelson High School (Texas)
●Thayu Kimori, Lawrence Free State High School
●Zoe Phillips, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts (Texas)
●Alondra Valle, Dodge City High School
●Lexi Dixon, The Barstow School (Missouri)
●Annie Wasinger, Thomas More Prep High School
●Katherine Mackenzie, Liberty North High School (Missouri)
●Jayce Hildebrand, Stafford High School
●Mia Putnam, Bishop Miege High School
●Joey Macko, San Marcus High School (California)
●Monica Nguyen, Wichita East High School
●Charlie Hill, Bishop Miege High School
●Braden Webb, Blue Valley North High School
A total of 813 students submitted applications for DSI in November – the largest application pool in DSI history. Three of the finalists will be selected as recipients of the Harry Gore Memorial $64,000 scholarship, which are among the largest undergraduate awards in the Midwest.
To be invited to compete in the invitational, students had to have a 27 or higher ACT score, or a 3.5 or higher GPA, or rank in the top 10% of their class. The 14 finalists this year have an average ACT score of 28 and average GPA of 3.97.
Once invited, students completed an application, including essays and small-group interviews via Zoom. Finalists interviewed with the Gore Selection Committee on Jan. 21.
The announcement of the Gore Scholars will be at 11:30 a.m. on Friday in Wichita State’s Marcus Welcome Center. All finalists will receive competitive scholarship packages to attend Wichita State in fall 2021.