DAPHNE, Ala. — Bayside seniors Hope Barnard and Will Lomers have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program and named National Merit Finalists. To celebrate the students’ achievement, congratulate them in a special way and encourage them to stretch themselves and maximize their talents, Bayside recently hosted a pen ceremony for the students, their families, faculty and friends.

“I got the idea for a pen ceremony from the movie ‘A Beautiful Mind,’ ” said Bayside Headmaster Tom Johnson. “There’s a scene in the movie where the professors, as a sign of respect and to acknowledge his mental acumen, present pens to Professor John Nash, the movie’s protagonist. I thought it would be fitting to establish a tradition to do the same for our students who accomplish such an honorable achievement as being named a National Merit Finalist.”

Peggy Dyson, chair of Bayside’s upper school science department and sponsor of the Science Olympiad team, presented an inscribed pen to Lomers as she recounted some of her most memorable experiences with him as a student.

“He’s the only student I know who is teaching himself Japanese,” Dyson said. “As an outstanding student in and out of the classroom, all of Will’s teachers have enjoyed the pleasure of working with a student with such depth of intellect.”

Model United Nations sponsor Sonny Joiner was charged with giving Barnard her pen.

“I was thoroughly impressed with her leadership at the Davidson Invitational Model UN program this year,” Joiner said. “When the other students were taking a break, Hope was caucusing with other delegates.”

The National Merit Scholarship Program will announce its college-sponsored scholarship recipients at the end of May.