A few weeks ago, E.J. Daniels, a senior at South Point High School, learned that he has been named as a finalist for a National Merit Scholarship.

This honor is quite prestigious, and he’s the only student in Lawrence County to earn it.

Scoring a perfect 36 on the ACT, he was named a semifinalist, then, after applying and providing writing samples, he was named as one of the 15,000 finalists in the nation.

The honor will go a long way toward his education, with many colleges offering full scholarships to those who make the semifinalist category.

Representatives from Harvard have already interviewed Daniels, a committed student in the school’s band who wants to study physics.

His enthusiasm for his field is quite evident and we think he is on track to go on to great things in his pursuits.

And we would also like to congratulate the county’s other semifinalist, Bella Schraeder, of the Tri-State STEM+M Early College High School.

Being named a semifinalist is a huge honor, with the National Merit Scholar Foundation bestowing it on the top one percent of those who test for college.

Daniels and Schrader have already amassed impressive achievements and we are proud to see those from our county get this recognition.

We congratulate both of them.