2 Sugar Hill Seniors Named National Merit Semifinalists

SUGAR HILL, GA — Two students from Sugar Hill Christian Academy have been named among 16,000 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, announced earlier this month by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

This is the first step in consideration for 2,500 National Merit Scholarships, each worth $2,500, that will be announced in the spring. Semifinalists, who represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, scored among the highest in the state on the PSAT exam. In February, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist round, and final winners will be selected in batches from April through July. Winners are chosen based on their skills and accomplishments.

Here are the two semifinalists from Sugar Hill Christian:

• Alexander R. Steffey
• John A. Swift

Nearby Buford High School saw three semifinalists:

• Paul J. Kwak
• James D. Ragazino
• An Q. Tran

The semifinalist must demonstrate an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, and write an essay. Scholarship winners will be chosen based on their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

There are three kinds of scholarships finalists will compete for, corporate-sponsored, college or university-sponsored and National Merit Scholarship Corporation awards. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation's own $2,500 Scholarships will be awarded to 2,500 students on a state-representational basis.

Around 1,000 corporate-sponsored scholarships will be provided by about 220 corporations and business organizations for students who meet their criteria. For example, the criteria may include being children of an employee at the sponsoring business or residents of communities where the business has locations or offices.

Around 180 colleges and universities are expected to fund about 4,100 awards for finalists who will attend their school.