Three De Pere High School seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, earned through their PSAT/NMSQT test scores, Austin Hackel, Ansh Patel, and Noah Zhang are among top students across the nation. The three now bring the total to 21 of NMS semifinalists since 2019 from DPHS.
Below are their answers to a few general questions.
Q: What is your favorite subject in school and why?
Noah: My favorite subject is usually whatever math I’m in. Just because I like the problem-solving aspect. I find it rewarding.
Austin: My favorite subject is science. Currently, I am in Human Anatomy because I want to become a doctor.
Ansh: Math. I took Calc last year, and this year I’m taking Micro Economics. It just clicks with me.
Q: What are your biggest inspirations in life?
Noah: My parents are some of my biggest inspirations because my dad immigrated here in the 80s and didn’t know English. They both encouraged me to do my best, but they didn’t put a lot of pressure on me. They created a really great environment.
Austin: My stepdad is my biggest inspiration. He worked his way up from a beginner level job at his company to become a co-owner.
Ansh: My biggest inspiration by far is my dad. Super hard-working. Came here with nothing and really made a life for himself and taught me the values of hard work.
Q:What is your hardest subject in school and why?
Noah: Last year, A-PUSH and AP-LIT were really hard because they were a lot of reading something, making your own ideas about it, and then presenting them in a way that earned you points.
Austin: My hardest subject is ELA, because I’m not a big fan of writing.
Ansh: I think that it comes down to individual units, but I’d say in general, most of the social sciences were tougher for me, classes like AP Euro and AP US History.
Q: What advice would you give to an incoming freshman who wants to become a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist?
Noah: The first thing is that you need to know what the PSAT is. I think that most people don’t know what it is. Obviously, be up on your English and Math because that is pretty much what the test is, especially English. And just be well-rounded.
Austin: Just be well-rounded and focused at school. For the PSAT, focus on most of your subjects.
Ansh: Focus on school, get good grades, and try to get involved in things that you’re interested in. During junior year, you want to try really hard on your PSAT, so practice before that.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Noah: Hopefully graduated from college, or continuing to pursue higher education. Right now I am looking at Actuarial Science.
Austin: I see myself in Med School because that’s what I want to do later in life as a radiologist.
Ansh: Hopefully in five years, I’m on Wall Street, working as an investment banker making big money. It kind of just depends on how college goes and if my mind changes.
