Teens In Caldwells Named As National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists

THE CALDWELLS, NJ — Two teens in high schools in the Caldwells have been named as a semi-finalists in the highly competitive competition for a National Merit Scholarship.

Finalists for the college scholarships are usually announced in spring.

The process begins when students take their PSAT as a sophomore or junior in high school. Tens of thousands of students are chosen as Commended scholars.

During those students' senior year, the number is whittled to semi-finalists. This year, 16,000 semi-finalists were chosen.

To continue competing, they must submit an essay, recommendations, and more.

In spring, some of the student receive a $2,500 scholarship for college, while others may win an amount from a specific company or a college.

Semi-Finalists

The semi-finalists from local towns are:

• Caldwell: Amanda A. Rohde from Mount St. Dominic Academy.
• North Caldwell: Priya A. Shah at West Essex High School.

In terms of other Essex County high schools, Livingston High School had five semi-finalists, Columbia High School in Maplewood had one.

The semi-finalists will compete for more than 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which is a non-profit organization.

About 95 percent of the semi-finalists will attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was
established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 340 business
organizations and higher education institutions.