3 Beverly Hillers Named National Merit Semifinalists

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — As usual, Beverly Hillers are making the grade. On Sept. 9, the National Merit Scholarship announced that four local students have qualified as semifinalists for the 2021 award.

The semifinalists from Beverly Hills High School are Parsa Farnad, Bradley Moon, and Nicholas Walker.

The three BHHS seniors join 16,000 others around the country who scored well enough on the 2019 Preliminary SAT Exams to qualify for finalist status. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, the semifinalists represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

To advance to finalist status, applicants must provide detailed information about their grades and extracurricular activities, write an essay, and be recommended and endorsed by an employee at their school. 15,000 of the semifinalists are expected to advance to finalist status, according to the NMSC.

Finalists will then compete for the 2,500 scholarships, which are worth $2,500 each. 2021 winners will be named in four separate announcements from next April to July.

"We congratulate the students recognized for their academic achievement and excellence in their pursuit towards higher education, especially during times where learning has had to be adapted," said BHHS College Counselor Casey Rowley. "As our students show resiliency in academic achievement, it is exciting to honor them for their efforts."