The National Merit Scholarship Program recognized Jackson Academy seniors Richard “Red” Deaton, Noah Pressler, Gautam Ray, and Titus Taylor as semifinalists in September. A challenging academic curriculum and numerous opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities have empowered these talented students. The support and engagement fostered by their families and JA’s faculty and staff propelled them to achieve beyond their expectations.
Red, Noah, Gautam, and Titus were among more than 1.3 million students in 21,000 high schools nationwide who took the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in their junior year. After that initial screening, these students completed detailed scholarship applications with information about their academics, school and community involvement activities, leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. Each year, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation recognizes approximately 16,000 semifinalists. These students now qualify to continue in the competition for finalist status and National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million to be offered next spring.
Richard “Red” Deaton
Red Deaton, from Brandon, excels inside and outside the classroom. In 2023, he was named an AP Scholar for his achievement in AP testing. The Cum Laude Society inducted him as a member. He also holds memberships in science, English, Latin, and social sciences honoraries. He has competed with Mu Alpha Theta in math competitions, with the JA marching and concert bands, and with the Encore show choir, performing in Mississippi and beyond. An Eagle Scout, Red likes the games Ultimate Frisbee and Chess.
Noah Pressler
Noah Pressler, from Jackson, puts many hours into theatre and band performances, including being a concert band soloist. He provides instrumentals on tenor and alto saxophone, bass clarinet, piano, and bass guitar for theatre, chapel, and band shows. Noah also is an Eagle Scout, an AP Scholar with Distinction, a member of the Cum Laude Society, and many academic honoraries and clubs. He earned first place in pre-calculus at the 2023 Mu Alpha Theta Tournament. Noah serves as the Co-Captain of the Ultimate Frisbee Club.
Gautam Ray
In addition to tutoring at JA and conducting summer research in biochemistry, Brandon resident Gautam Ray is a Quiz Bowl enthusiast, serving as team captain. An inductee of the Cum Laude Society, Gautam has served as historian for the student body, a Student Council officer, and a JA Student Ambassador. At JA and outside of JA, he has participated in competitions in science and math. This year, he was the National Chemistry Olympiad Finalist with the highest score on the national exam in the Mississippi region. He was an International Science and Engineering Fair Finalist, qualifying for the Best in Fair Award at Region II Mississippi Science and Engineering Fair.
Titus Taylor
One of Clinton resident Titus Taylor’s unique pastimes is 3D modeling, design, and 3D printing. Using these processes, he creates mouthpieces used with band instruments at JA. He stays busy with school activities, including playing trumpet for the JA marching and concert bands and serving as an instrumentalist for Encore, Showtime, and JA musicals, such as the 2022 “West Side Story” production. These activities are alongside his academic pursuits. An inductee of the Cum Laude Society, he takes a full schedule of Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses. Titus enjoys Ultimate Frisbee and biking.
