3 MATES Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Three Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) students were selected as Semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

The MATES students are among more than 16,000 of the country's top high school students. They have the chance to become Finalists and compete next spring for about 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million.

The three students are:

• Ryan B. Hutain
• Emilia Savich
• Brianna Melanie A. Suliguin

High school juniors entered the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official 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 or ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

More than 15,000 of the Semifinalists are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation.

Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin or religious preference.