Marci Shearon, the principal of Arkansas City High School, announced recently that Austin J. Trent has been named a Commended Student in the 2006 National Merit Scholarship Program. Shearon presented a Letter of Commendation from ACHS and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program, to this scholastically talented senior.

Shearon said Trent is not only a great student, but a great person as well.

“Austin is a very deserving, but also very humble, student,” she said. “He is a really nice young man, and I look forward to seeing what he does in the future.”

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2006 competition for Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than one million students who entered the 2006 competition by taking the 2004 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

A spokesperson for the National Merit Program said, “It is important to acknowledge the attainments of academically talented students and to credit schools for the key role they play in their development. We hope the recognition received by these able young men and women who are commended in this rigorous, nationwide competition will encourage them to take advantage of opportunities for higher education and to diligently pursue their professional goals.”

Austin is the son of Linda Trent.