Babylon H.S. Senior Named National Merit Semifinalist

BABYLON, NY - A Babylon student has been named a semifinalist in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. Thomas A. Orifici of Babylon Junior-Senior High School was announced as one of the 16,000 semifinalists nationwide on Wednesday.

According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, the pool of semifinalists represents less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. About 95% of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship.

High school juniors entered the annual competition by taking the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Semifinalists must submit a detailed application which includes their academic record, participation in school and community activities, and honors and awards received.

Students will find out in February whether they make it to the finalist stage. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 scholarships on a state-representational basis. Merit Scholars are then selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2022. About 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 220 corporations and business organizations. Also, almost 180 colleges and universities are expected to finance 4,000 scholarships.

Winners will then be announced in four stages, beginning in April and concluding in July.