EVANSTON, Ill. — Four local students were named as semifinalists in the 61st annual National Merit Scholarship Program by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Miriam S. Cohen of Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, Joseph Vozzo, a home-schooled student from Gray, Kyle Almquist of Lewiston High School and Benjamin S. Andrews of Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in South Paris were listed as semifinalists.
These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,400 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring.
To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition.
To become a finalist, the semifinalist and his or her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment and honors and awards received. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s performance on the qualifying test.
Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state-representational basis. About 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 250 corporations and business organizations for finalists. About 190 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 3,900 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.
National Merit Scholarship winners of 2016 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and ending in July.
FMI: www.nationalmerit.org.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
