![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-1200x800.jpg)
![In celebration of winning his second straight state title in the 215 weight class, junior Carter Brown backflips before leaving the mat. Brown won his bout against junior Kobe Rhymes of North Kansas City High School by fall in just 41 seconds. "Carter does what Carter does. We expect [success] out of him and his goals are bigger than the state championship," coach Sam Ritchie said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2784-1200x800.jpg)
Every year 15,000 semifinalists advance to the finalist level to compete for National Merit Scholarships. Among the Lafayette finalists are seniors Michael Brown, Christian Followell, Amanda Miller, Christina Schmidt, Matthew Thoelke and Mitchell Von Hoffmann.
Von Hoffmann said, “When I found out what score I got later that year, I figured out that would place me in a position to become a National Merit Finalist.”
Students who qualify as finalists receive up to $2,000 in scholarship money, but students also enjoy having the title of a finalist.
“The scholarship is a big part of being a finalist, but also the distinction that comes along with it can be just as important,” Hoffmann said.
In order to qualify, students must be recommended by a school official, earn a score on the SAT that confirms their test performance and have outstanding academics.
Finalist Christina Schmidt agrees. “Although the scholarships are nice, there are other benefits to just having the title.”
