Congratulations to this year’s National Merit® Scholarship Semifinalists, William (Bill) Bedford and Heloise Hoffmann (top 1% in Florida), and Commended Scholars, Brent Bartholomew, Garrison Leach, Ben Ouaou, and Nick Molloy (top 3% in the   U.S.). The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. High school students enter the Program by taking the PSAT as juniors. Of the 1.5 million who take the exam each year, some 50,000 with the highest scores qualify for recognition. About two-thirds of the high scorers receive Letters of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise. About 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, qualify as Semifinalists. Qualifying scores vary from state to state and from year to year, but the scores of all Semifinalists are extremely high. To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, Semifinalists must advance to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and other requirements. In February, some 15,000 Semifinalists will be notified that they have advanced to Finalist standing. Congratulations again to all five of these Scholars, and good luck!

Shown l-r: Ben, Nick, Garrison, Heloise, Bill, and Brent