When St. Aloysius senior Ian Ulmer arrived at school Thursday, he had a little more than a typical morning when he was recognized for a major accomplishment he wasn’t aware he had attained.

Ulmer was named a National Merit Finalist.

“I can’t think of a more deserving student,” St. Aloysius Principal Buddy Strickland said.

First Ulmer had to qualify to be named a National Merit Semifinalist, and he did so by making the benchmark score on the PSAT test last year. This fall, Ulmer reached the benchmark score on the SAT to qualify as a finalist by making a 2030.

Strickland explained the rarity of the accomplishment Ulmer obtained by saying 1.5 million students take the first exam to qualify for the designation, but only 15,000 nationwide are named finalists.

“Merit Finalists are eagerly sought after by each of the major universities,” Strickland said.

Ulmer said he took practice tests to prepare.

“I was fairly confident going in, but it was a little close I thought,” Ulmer said.

He is still undecided as to where he plans to attend college next year but is set on staying in Mississippi.

“I’m going to go instate for my undergrad degree,” Ulmer said.

He has considered majoring in finance or international business, but he’s not sure what career path he is going to take yet.

In school, Ulmer is involved in yearbook, Key Club, cross-country, and he works in the St. Aloysius daycare program after school.

Strickland bragged on Ulmer’s community service work saying all students are required to do at least eight hours of volunteer work a quarter.

“He exceeds that, way above,” Strickland said.

The principal called Ulmer “a special young guy,” who is bright, articulate and a great multi-tasker.

“But more than anything else, he’s humble,” Strickland said.

Ulmer found out about his accomplishment Thursday morning when it was announced in front of the school in a curious way.

“Dr. Strickland ambushed me in front of the school,” Ulmer said. “He kind of caught me off guard.”

Ulmer was asked to lead the daily morning prayer just two weeks after he had already taken on the duty. He wasn’t sure why he was chosen to do it again so soon.

“We thought that he knew because we got the letter [Wednesday] and thought that he had gotten it at home,” Strickland said. “It was kind of neat for him to share it with his classmates.”

Strickland said the school has a history of producing scholars.

“Its kind of come to be expected that we have one,” Strickland said adding St. Aloysius had the only National Merit Finalist in Warren County for two years in a row.

Being named a National Merit Finalist will help Ulmer pay for his education.

“He probably just got four years of college paid for — everything,” Strickland said.

“I hope so,” Ulmer said.