2 Avon High School Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

AVON, OH - Two students from Avon High School have been named National Merit Semifinalists. Seniors Breanna Collins and Madeleine Hapanowicz received notification of their accomplishment yesterday from Avon High School Principal, Kristina Buller.

Both students are lifelong Avon residents and have attended Avon local schools their entire academic career.

“We have a lot of intelligent students at Avon High School,” says Buller. “It is always exciting for us when this type of recognition is given to our students. It is an honor for Avon High School.”

Collins says she is considering attending Duke University, Dartmouth College, and the University of Alabama. Hapanowicz says she would like to attend Harvard University, the University of Chicago, the University of Pittsburgh, or Northeastern University.

The National Merit program recognizes students with high Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) scores and a strong academic record. Approximately 16,000 Semifinalists were announced for the 62nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

These high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

From left to right in photo: Breanna Collins and Madeleine Hapanowicz.
Photo courtesy of the Avon City School District