Leon is one of approximately 16,000 semifinalists from 1.5 million juniors who entered the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). The nationwide pool of approximately 16,000 semifinalists, which represents less than one percent of US high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state. He is the only senior earning this achievement in a Region 1 Kentucky high school this year.
From the approximately 16,000 semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring. In addition, semifinalists and finalists are eligible for numerous full and partial scholarships from various public and private universities.
Leon is an AP Scholar, Captain of the Tilghman Academic Team, and a graduate of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce Youth LEAD program. He’s Captain of the Tilghman Swim Team and for the last ten years has been a member of the Paducah Swim Team, for which he currently maintains the positions of Captain, private swim teacher and volunteer coach. He has multiple placements in events at the Kentucky state level in swimming, including a top 10 state ranking in the 200 butterfly.
He is a bass and soloist with Tilghman’s Prime Rib and Another Shade of Blue, and sings bass with Tilghman’s Concert Choir. He has also earned a place in the bass section of the Kentucky Music Educators Association All-State Choir every year. A pianist, Leon has studied privately for the past ten years and plays accompaniment and solos for church. He also enjoys playing piano during his free time.
Leon is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Tilghman Interact Club and Sustainability Club. He’s also an editor and writer for the Tilghman Bell Newspaper. He’s received and working on certifications in coding languages such as Python, JavaScript, and HTML. Leon attends Concord United Methodist Church and is the Youth Representative on the Church Council. He volunteers with his Church Youth Group in the Family Kitchen and has also volunteered with the United Way of Paducah-McCracken County. This past summer he worked as an aid at Jackson Purchase Pulmonary Medicine.
He is the son of Gigi and Bob dos Remedios of Paducah.
“Leon has a stellar academic record and it’s not surprising that he has earned the honor of National Merit Semifinalist,” said Tilghman Principal Allison Stieg. “Paducah Tilghman is very proud of his achievement, and we look forward to watching him continue down a path of success.”