Schools
Linn Mar High School Boasts Three National Merit Semifinalists
Three students were highlighted for their exceptional academic ability
Three Linn Mar High School seniors are in the running to become National Merit Scholars.
Jacob Stolley, Madison Esker and Andrew Bonar are 2012 national semifinalists.
"It was kind of a surprise," said Stolley, 18, of Marion.
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Though he’s ranked first in his class he didn’t know if he would be selected as a semifinalist as the competition is quite tough.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced 16,000 semifinalists last fall.
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The company will narrow the semifinalists down to 8,300 National Merit Scholars who will be given a combined total of more than $34 million in scholarship awards. The organization will announce winners between April and July 2012.
"Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program are the highest-scoring entrants in each state and represent less than 1 percent of each state’s high school
seniors," said Eileen Artemakis, a spokeswoman for the organization.
The semifinalists were selected from the top scoring 2010 PSAT/NMSQT students
nationwide.
Some high schools administer the PSAT/NMSQT to sophomores or younger for practice for the SAT, but usually the students would need to take the test again in the junior year to be eligible to enter National Merit Scholarship program, Artemakis said.
By taking the PSAT/NMSQT, students and their families receive free, comprehensive feedback about students’ performance in reading, mathematics and writing that will help them better prepare for the SAT and college. PSAT/NMSQT score, she said.
To advance as a finalist the students must fill out more paperwork showing their academic excellence. The organization looks for "potential for success in rigorous college studies," Artemakis said.
Stolley’s family and friends believe he has a good shot. He’s hoping they’re right. In addition to strong academics, he is a pitcher for Linn Mar’s varsity baseball team.
His and Artemakis advice to aspiring semifinalists is to strive for excellence.
"Freshman and sophomores should continue to study hard and take challenging classes," Artemakis said.