6 Glenview Students Named 2023 National Merit Semifinalists

GLENVIEW, IL — Six local seniors from Glenbrook South High School were named semifinalists Wednesday for 2023 National Merit scholarships.

Officials from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names Wednesday of over 16,000 semifinalists in the 68th year of the academic program. The high school seniors now have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring, according to a news release.

Semifinalists for 2023 National Merit Scholarships from Glenview are:

• Analeesa Debotello (Glenbrook South High School)
• Benjamin E. Freidinger (Glenbrook South High School)
• Jaemin Hong (Glenbrook South High School)
• Rishabh K. Purayil (Glenbrook South High School)
• Jaden R. Welch-Jani (Glenbrook South High School)
• Alisha S. Zachariah (Glenbrook South High School)

The Evanston-based nonprofit that sponsors the program distributes three types of scholarships every spring:

• 2,500 cash scholarships from its own funds worth $2,500 each
• about 950 corporate-sponsored awards mostly reserved for the children of various businesses
• about 3,800 college-sponsored scholarships that cover between $500 and $2,000 a year for up to four years of undergraduate study for students set to attend those institutions.

In order for semifinalists to qualify as a finalist and become eligible for scholarships, they must submit a detailed application, including an essay and recommendation from a high school official.