Hutchinson, Ks- Hutchinson High School senior Mya Cook has been recognized as a Commended Student by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. She is considering furthering her education at either the University of Kansas or Kansas State University after graduation in the spring. Mya particularly enjoyed her drafting classes at HHS and is contemplating a major in architectural engineering or physical science.
Mya Cook expressed her gratitude for the support she received from her teachers at HHS, particularly highlighting the invaluable guidance of Mrs. Malashchuk, her seminar teacher and gifted advisor. Mya appreciated how Mrs. Malaschuk fostered an encouraging learning environment that allowed her to flourish academically. She also fondly recalled her experiences with Mr. McCandless, an International Baccalaureate teacher and Scholars Bowl sponsor, noting, “He always pushed me to try and do my best!” Mya credits this strong support system for helping her navigate her high school journey and pursue her ambitious educational goals.
Mya was actively involved in a range of extracurricular activities at HHS, including track, Scholars Bowl, band, and cross country, while also pursuing International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. She believes that her participation in these IB classes has played a significant role in her academic success. Mya stated, "Taking IB courses has been a huge contributor to my success. For me, the one-on-one interaction with the teachers was invaluable and provided me with great benefits." This personalized attention helped her not only grasp complex subjects more effectively but also motivated her to strive for excellence in all her endeavors.
Mya achieved a top 3% or above score on the PSAT and an ACT score of 34. The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) Selection Index score is calculated using a student’s section scores. The Commended Scholars receive Letters of Commendation.
Hutchinson High School’s most recent National Merit Scholar was Morgan Hixson, class of 2023, now studying at the University of Nebraska.