SJP Senior Named National Merit Finalist

Saint John’s Prep’s Alton Mies ’21 Recognized by NMS

Collegeville, MN:  Saint John’s Prep Senior Alton Mies, son of Susan and Jeff Mies of Cold Spring, MN is a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Alton is the brother of Regan ’18 and Anson ’22. As a finalist, Alton is now one of 15,000 high school seniors from throughout the nation competing for approximately 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million.

Last fall, Alton received recognition as a semifinalist from the National Merit Scholarship Program by being among the top scorers of the PSAT/NMSQT® in the United States and Minnesota. To become a National Merit Finalist, Alton submitted a detailed application that included information about his academic record, school and community activities, leadership abilities and honors and awards. More than half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.  Alton will find out if he is a National Merit Scholar later this spring.

At Saint John’s Prep, Alton is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and German Club. Alton is a member of the track and baseball teams and a captain of the soccer and basketball teams. During the 2019-20 season, Saint John’s Prep and our basketball team celebrated Alton’s achievement of scoring 1,000 points.

Alton is an editor and writes for the Saint John’s Prep Triangle and the Prep Post. Alton tutors other students while volunteering for the Saint John’s Prep Writing Center. He founded the Chess Club and serves as its president.

Within the Central Minnesota community, Alton is a dedicated volunteer. For the Saint John’s Abbey Arboretum, he’s built and donated fisher nesting boxes and duck houses. Alton is a trail monitor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Loon Monitoring program. In addition, Alton works with his siblings to serve the elderly with an ongoing project called “Papa’s Blankets.” Alton works with student groups to make colorful fleece blankets which he then delivers to area elderly care centers.

Founded in 1857, Saint John’s Prep is a Catholic/Benedictine private day and boarding school located on the campus of Saint John’s University in Collegeville, MN. Saint John’s Prep provides students, of all faiths, in grades 6-12 with a college-preparatory curriculum.  Busing and scholarships are available.  For more information, we encourage you to visit us! Schedule your in-person or virtual visit at www.sjprep.net or call 320-363-3315.