District Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

WOODSTOCK, GA -- Seven Cherokee County School District high school seniors this week were named 2017 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

They are: of Creekview High School, Jack Pace; of River Ridge High School, Anabelle Paulino; of Sequoyah High School, Katie Bates and Alex Morrison; and of Woodstock High School, Alex Andon, A.J. Cox and Evan Vines.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which oversees the prestigious competition, has named 16,000 semi-finalists, who were selected based on outstanding 2015 PSAT scores.

Less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors are named semi-finalists.

To be considered as a finalist, the students next will submit a detailed application noting their academic achievements, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors; an endorsement and recommendation from a high school official; and an essay. Students also must earn SAT scores that confirm their PSAT performance.

The anticipated 15,000 finalists will compete for 7,500 scholarships worth about $33 million, which will be awarded in the spring.

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Photo 1: Alex Morrison
Photo 2: Katie Bates
Photo 3: Evan Vines
Photo 4: Annabelle Paulino
Photo 5: Jack Pace
Photo 6: AJ Cox
Photo 7: Alex Andon
Photo credits: Cherokee County School District