BlANCHESTER – The National Honor Society (NHS) announced that Matthew O’Neill, a senior at Blanchester High School and member of the NHS, has been selected as an NHS Scholarship semifinalist. O’Neill was chosen from nearly 7,000 applicants and will receive a $3,200 scholarship toward higher education.

For nearly 100 years, NHS members have been making a difference in their schools and communities and the NHS Scholarship is NASSP’s way of recognizing the most exceptional of these student leaders. Recipients are chosen based on their demonstrated work to support the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

“The NHS Scholarship is a well deserved award for Mr. O’Neill,” said BHS Principal Pandy McCarty. “He is a great ambassador for Blanchester High School.”

At Blanchester High School, O’Neill has served as FFA Vice President of Community and Vice President of Leadership, co-captain of the soccer team and academic team, and has also volunteered numerous hours with Matthew 25 Ministries. This fall, he plans to attend Wright State University and study biomedical engineering with a long-term goal of becoming a trauma surgeon.

Since 1946, more than $17 million in scholarships has been awarded to outstanding NHS senior members to support college access and student success. The scholarship program is supported by the parent organization of NHS, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

For more information about the NHS, the scholarship, and the 2020 recipients, visit www.nhs.us.