National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist Announced For Columbia High School In Maplewood

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — As in previous years, a teen in the South Orange-Maplewood school district has been named as a semi-finalist in the highly competitive competition for a National Merit Scholarship.

Finalists for the college scholarships are usually announced each 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.

Columbia High School Semi-Finalist

Holden U. Reeves was named the semi-finalist from Columbia High.

In terms of nearby high schools, Livingston High School had five semi-finalists, Westfield High School had one, and Millburn had a whopping 20.

Last year, Columbia High School had 10 semi-finalists.

Next Steps

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.