Walt Whitman H.S. Has 2 National Merit Semifinalists

HUNTINGTON STATION, NY — Two Walt Whitman High School students were named semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit Program.

Ned Hunter and Anthony Maida achieved the recognition.

This prestigious honor is awarded to students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Nationwide, semifinalists represent less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors and include the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

In each annual National Merit Scholarship Program, about 50,000 academically talented high school students are honored, but only roughly 16,000 of them are named semifinalists. Students who qualify as semifinalists based on their performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) are the only program participants who have an opportunity to advance to the finalist level and compete for National Merit Scholarships.

Of the approximate 16,000 semifinalists, approximately 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level where they will compete to earn National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million.

To become a finalist in the 68th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, the semifinalist must submit a detailed scholarship application including an outstanding academic record throughout high school, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership skills, employment, and a list of honors and awards received.

Semifinalists must also be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm earlier performance on the qualifying test.

Semifinalists advancing to the finalist level will be announced in February 2023. The National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced in spring 2023.