Centennial High School Celebrates 5 National Merit Semifinalists

From Centennial HS: Centennial High School is proud to share that five of its students have earned the prestigious level of National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. The program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

The Centennial students—Andrew Duffy, Chloe LeCates, Kayley Olewicz, Anise Overton and Emma Sweigart—are in the nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

How do students earn this distinction? The initial hurdle is to be one of the highest scoring entrants in each state on the 2016 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. His or her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide 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 throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

“I am very pleased to congratulate our five Semifinalists on this prestigious distinction,” said Centennial Principal Kibbey Crumbley. “I know I speak for their counselors as well when I say the sky is truly the limit for each of them. These students have a very bright future ahead and I am eager to see what decisions they make as they finish out their senior year!”

Across the country, approximately 16,000 seniors will be nominated for the scholarships. It is estimated that 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

There are different kinds of National Merit scholarships—some sponsored by colleges, others by companies—that will be announced at different times through 2018.

Centennial High School is a 21st century learning community providing a high quality, innovative educational experience for all students to be college and career ready. Located at 9310 Scott Road in Roswell, Georgia, the school has been ranked as one of America’s best high schools by The Washington Post, US News and World Report, and Atlanta Magazine.

Image Via Centennial HS