Dan Garling

Daniel Garling, son of Bill and Judy Garling of Westerville, has been named a National Merit Scholar. A homeschooler, Dan will attend Wright State University on a full scholarship, where he will study computer engineering.

Of the one million students who took the PSAT in the fall of 2000, only about sixteen thousand reached semi-finalist rank. A transcript, personal essay, and teacher recommendation were required to be considered for finalist ranking. Because Dan was homeschooled, Coach Stanley wrote the recommendation, having seen Dan's personal growth and character over a period of several years.

Dan has been homeschooled for all but three years, when he attended Worthington Christian Elementary and Middle Schools. For the past six years he has volunteered one day a week, from the time football season ended until the end of the school year, for over one thousand hours, including teaching senior citizens computer skills in a one on one setting at the Westerville Senior Citizens Center.

Daniel was the first homeschooler six years ago when the team had its start. He played every year and during the third year he even played on both the high school team and the middle school team. Daniel received the Crusader Football Coach's Award in November 2001. Dan's faithfulness, hard work, perseverance and example to others made him stand out. Crusader Football has been a blessing, providing not only physical education and training but godly mentors and friends. Dan hopes to be able to attend some of the Crusader games this fall, as his schedule allows.