EPCHS Senior Colin Brennan Named National Merit Semifinalist

Congratulations to Evergreen Park Community High School Senior, Colin Brennan, who was named a semifinalist in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Also considered are extracurricular participation and community service.

To qualify Colin had to place well on the preliminary PSAT standardized test and submit a scholarship application that detailed school performance, leadership skills, community activities, and honors and awards received. He also had to write an essay and receive a recommendation from a school official, according to the organization.

Nationwide, about 16,000 students qualified as semifinalists and Colin is one of those students named that will continue on in the competition for 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million in total. Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be awarded.

Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships, which are awarded on a state-representational basis. In addition, about 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships will be provided by approximately 220 corporations and business organizations who meet their specified criteria, and about 180 colleges and universities are expected to finance about 4,100 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for finalists who attend the sponsor institution.

The National Merit Scholarship winners of 2020 will be announced between April and July of 2020.