3 Smithtown Seniors Named National Merit Semifinalists

Smithtown NY

16 September, 2020

11:45 AM

Description

SMITHTOWN, NY — Three Smithtown Central School District students were named semifinalists in the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Wenxiao Men from Smithtown High School East; and Fiona Needham and Christina Unkenholz from Smithtown High School West, secured their advancement. Approximately 16,000 semifinalists will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for roughly 7,600 National Merit Scholarships valued at more than $30 million, according to the school district. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. More than 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title. More than 1.5 million juniors in 21,000 high schools entered the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2021. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 scholarships.