Hanson is a true scholar in every sense of the word and is known on campus for his many academic and artistic talents. In the Menlo Orchestra, he plays flute, piano and violin and has performed solos many times. He was a HAND Fellow, traveling to Singapore to compare the democracy there with that of the U.S. and writing a significant thesis on his studies. He taught a course on bridge engineering for Menlo’s Knight School program. His research paper on “Japan’s Nuclear Energy Policy: Economic Pressures and Propaganda Tactics” was published in The Roundtable, Menlo’s journal of student scholarly writing. And he was named a 2015 National YoungArts Foundation winner.

The $2,500 National Merit Scholarship winners are those judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The Scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, based on the students’ academic record, standardized test scores, contributions and leadership in school and community activities, and essay, and a recommendation letter from their school.