Carrollton High School seniors Edward Kenyon and Sarah Scholl, who were named National Merit Semifinalists in September, have advanced to finalist standing and are eligible to compete for $30 million in National Merit scholarships that will be awarded this spring.
The pair are among an elite group of less than 1 percent of high school seniors nationwide to be named a finalist. More than 90 percent of semifinalists attain finalist standing, and about half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship and earn the Merit Scholar title. Merit Scholar designees are selected based on their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
To become a finalist, the semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application providing 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 throughÂout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.
Edward and Sarah’s strong academic performance, boosted by rigorous International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement coursework, propelled them to finalist status.
NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 400 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.
