Ossining Seniors Shine as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

On September 13, 2023, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) proudly announced the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Among these bright young scholars are Thomas Y. Cong and Candice J. Yu, both seniors at Ossining High School. This prestigious recognition places them among the top academic achievers in the nation.

Thomas and Candice have excelled academically, and their dedication to learning has earned them a place as Semifinalists in this highly competitive scholarship program. Their outstanding achievement reflects their commitment to excellence and their dedication to their studies.

"I am extremely honored to join the 146 National Merit Semifinalists in Westchester County," said Thomas Y. Cong. "It is great to represent Ossining with this award, and I believe it reflects the level of excellence promoted here at OHS."

Principal LaToya Langley of Ossining High School expressed her pride in the students, stating, "Thomas and Candice are shining examples of the exceptional talent we have here at Ossining High School. Their commitment to academic excellence is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and I have no doubt they will continue to achieve great things in the future."

To reach this milestone, Thomas and Candice took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) during their junior year. This test served as the initial evaluation for program admission and placed them in an elite group comprising less than one percent of high school seniors across the United States.

As National Merit Semifinalists, Thomas and Candice are now eligible to compete for some of the 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring. To advance to the Finalist level of the competition, they must fulfill several requirements, which about 95 percent of Semifinalists are expected to achieve. Ultimately, approximately half of the Finalists will be awarded a National Merit Scholarship, earning them the prestigious title of Merit Scholar.

Interim Superintendent Mary Fox-Alter also praised the students, saying, “I am incredibly proud of Thomas and Candice for achieving this prestigious honor. Their dedication to academic excellence reflects the high standards we uphold in our district, and their success serves as an inspiration to all our students. We celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to seeing them continue this exciting journey.”

The National Merit Scholarship Program was established in 1955 by NMSC as a not-for-profit organization operating without government assistance. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 320 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC's goals of honoring the nation's scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

About the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC):

Established in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. NMSC's mission is to recognize and reward outstanding students and to encourage the pursuit of academic excellence. The annual National Merit Scholarship Program honors the nation's scholastic champions and provides scholarships to support their educational aspirations.