Notre Dame's Jared James named National Merit semifinalist

The Southeast Missourian is introducing you to some extraordinary students: three National Merit semifinalists. National Merit semifinalists scored big on the PSAT— beating 99 percent of other test-takers. Out of more than 1.5 million juniors who took the test, only 16,000 were named semifinalists. They will now compete for finalist standing by submitting records, an application and recommendations — with the hope of winning a scholarship.

Jared James

School: Notre Dame Regional High School

Age: 17

Activities/clubs: Tri-M Music Honor Society, Encore, Backstage Blue, National Thespian Honor Society, musical cast and crew, fall drama cast and crew, National Honor Society, Science Club, Select Singers.

Favorite teacher: Ellen Seyer. I've got a couple teachers that could be my favorites, but Ms. Seyer has been my favorite since freshman year. I love choir class, and she really got me involved in music.

Best subject: I'd say it's a tie between performing arts and science.

Typical weekend: I mow lawns Saturday mornings and do chores. Saturday afternoons and evenings, I hang out with friends often playing sand volleyball or watching movies. Sunday mornings are for Mass and breakfast followed by a few chores and then homework.

Post-graduation plans: So far, I know I'm going to college, but I'm still in the choosing process. I hope to double major wherever I go because I like several different subjects and fields of study.

Three words to describe me: Versatile, quick-witted, mellow.

If I could change one thing about high school: I'll cheat and go with two: homework load and class flexibility. There's just not enough time to take all the classes I want.

Funniest high school moment: During fall play rehearsal, there are only about eight cast members there a night and the first couple practices, everything is funny because we have never done these scenes. Keeping a straight face on stage during a serious scene is hard. It's even more difficult to keep from laughing out loud backstage while watching your fellow cast members awkwardly hug "intimately."