From Avon Schools:Avon High School is pleased to announce two senior students have been named as National Merit Semifinalists from the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Noah Petzinger, 17; and Alex Stamatis, 17, are among the 16,000 students across the country who took the PSAT in their junior year and earned scores high enough to qualify as Semifinalists. These students will move on to compete for approximately 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $34 million.
National Merit Semifinalists:
Noah Petzinger: Parents- Brad and Mary Petzinger
School activities: Swimming, track, Key Club, National Honor Society
Potential college major: Computer Science
College(s) of interest: University of Pittsburgh, The Ohio State University, University of
Cincinnati, Washington University
Hobbies: Reading, playing video games
Advice for other students: "Learn to enjoy learning. If you like doing it, you will enjoy
learning."
Alex Stamatis: Parents- John and Fay Stamatis
School activities: Academic Challenge, Key Club, National Honor Society, Student Council,
Junior Statesmen of America (JSA)
Potential college major(s): Business or law
College of interest: The Ohio State University
Hobbies: Reading, playing basketball
Advice for other students: "Academics are important. It prepares you for life...if you are
working hard, it will translate into other areas."
Less than 1 percent of high school seniors make it to the semifinal round. About 90 percent of semifinalists are expected to move on to become National Merit Finalists, which should be announced in February. About half of all finalists are awarded National Merit Scholarships. To become finalists, the semifinalists must submit a scholarship application that includes a strong academic record and an account of their participation in school and community activities, leadership abilities, participation in school and community activities, employment and any honors or awards.
Image via Avon Schools