Natasha Barlow, a student at Taylorsville High School, is one in a million. Her outstanding academics have qualified her as a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship, out of 1.3 million students entered into the program nationwide.

Beginning in 1955, the National Merit scholarship program recognizes academically talented students across the United States. The program is conducted by the not-for-profit National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Each year, high school students enter the program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements.

Natasha took the PSAT/NMSQT during the fall of her junior year to qualify for the NMSC program. Out of the hundreds of thousands of students entered nationwide, she was one of 16,000 students selected to be a semi-finalist due to her high test score. She was then given scholarship application materials, explaining requirements to advance in the competition for National Merit Scholarships to be offered this year.

Natasha's teachers said the honor is greatly deserved. "Natasha Barlow is one of the most intelligent and creative students I have had the chance to work with during my career," said Rob Eberly, Natasha’s AP Art History/Ceramics teacher at Taylorsville High. "She is so well rounded; she performs so well in both academic and artistic settings. She is also very kind, taking time to help other students succeed."

Sherri Horton, Natasha’s AP European History teacher, agreed. "Natasha Barlow is a self-driven student who excels at nearly everything she does," she said. "She is the kind of student that all teachers dream of — organized, motivated, smart, kind and responsible."

To qualify, Natasha had to write several essays and submit transcripts showing she had taken challenging courses throughout her high school years. Semifinalists who met academic and other requirements were notified this month that they have advanced to finalist standing and will receive Certificates of Merit attesting to their recognition in the program.

Mayor Kristie Overson and the City Council also plan to formally recognize Natasha for her incredible accomplishment at an upcoming council meeting at Taylorsville City Hall.

Katherine Barney, Natasha’s AP U.S. History teacher, further described Natasha as "one of the most impressive students I've ever taught. She's not only extremely intelligent but also had the ability to engage with the content on a deeper level than most of her peers, posing thoughtful questions about what we were studying and what that meant for the world around her. Students like Natasha give me hope for the future."

And, Special Ed teacher Cynthia Smith said Natasha has a special gift in caring for others. "Tasha has been a peer tutor in my special education classroom for three years and has been beyond amazing. She knows the nuances of every single student in my classroom and is able to meet their specific needs like a professional."

Natasha, pictured with Taylorsville High Principal Mark Ellermeier, will attend Utah State in the fall. She is this year's Math Sterling Scholar at Taylorsville High; she is an AP Ambassador and a peer mentor at the school, and she is fluent in Spanish.

All National Merit Scholarship winners will be chosen from the group of finalists based on their abilities, skills and accomplishments. Scholarship recipients will be notified in April on their final standing.