Corinth High School Senior Murphree Named National Merit Semifinalist
Wyatt Murphree is a semifinalist in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. He joins approximately 16,000 other high school seniors in receiving this honor. He will continue in the national competition for approximately 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million.
Representing less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors, the semifinalists include the highest-scoring entrants in each state. Over 1.5 million juniors entered the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT which served as the initial screen of program entrants.
Wyatt was pleased when he received this honor. “It feels great,” said Wyatt. “I know the National Merit program gives a lot of college and educational opportunities, and I’m hoping to make the most out of those.”
In addition to this distinction, Wyatt has achieved many academic awards and participated in leadership and athletic opportunities throughout his high school career.
Wyatt received the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) diploma with merit. He also competes with the Corinth Academic team and is a member of the National Honor Society. As a member of the award-winning CHS Band, he was the brass captain for two years and is currently serving as the overall band captain. He was also a member of the 2024 Mississippi All-State Lions Band and marched drum corps with the Spirit of Atlanta in 2023.
He also competed on the cross country state championship team in 2022 and 2023 and competed at the state track finals in the 110m hurdle event. Additionally, he volunteers at the St. Luke Food Pantry in Tupelo, plays with the Northeast Mississippi Youth Orchestra, plays in the Oakland Baptist Church Orchestra and attends Corinth First Methodist youth group. He has also performed as a guest soloist for the Corinth Music Club.
In college, Wyatt plans to pursue biomedical engineering with a pre-dental focus at Mississippi State University. After college, he wants to work as an Oral Maxillofacial surgeon.
His time at CHS helped prepare him for this competition and for the future. “Corinth High School prepared me very well for my future,” said Wyatt. “I like that Corinth has both the AICE program and the dual credit system. It’s helped me better prepare for the rigor of college classes.”
Corinth High School congratulates Wyatt on this exceptional honor and wishes him all the best as he continues to compete for National Merit Scholarships this spring.