3 Northport High School Students Are National Merit Semifinalists

NORTHPORT, NY — The school year began with a flourish for Northport High School seniors Camden Burk, Tara Damico and Rudolph Mastrocinque, who were recognized as National Merit semifinalists, the district announced in a news release.

The National Merit Scholarship Program honors "individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies."

This honor is the first step for the students towards the opportunity to win National Merit Scholarships that will be offered next spring. Less than 1 percent of high school students
nationwide are deemed semifinalists, and the students are chosen based on their scores on the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

Tara, Camden and Rudolph will move forward with a scholarship application inclusive of their academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership experience, employment and other honors they have received. They will also be endorsed by a Northport High School official and need to write a compelling essay.

The district is incredibly proud to have three students receiving this honor for the 2020-2021 school year, it stated.

"I’m extremely proud of our three National Merit semifinalists, and I am confident they will move on to the next round," Northport High School Principal Daniel Danbusky said. "Each of them is brilliant and unique, and this honor is the first of many accomplishments for them."