Sept. 10, 2020

11 named National Merit Semifinalists

Eleven Upper St. Clair High School seniors were recently named Semifinalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Competition. The following students scored in the top one percent of all juniors completing the PSAT in October 2019: Richard A. Carlson, Christian G. Chiu, Harrison L. Chui, Donovan P. Kohler, Richa N. Mahajan, Shay A. McDowell, Samantha E. Seewald, Ishaan N. Shah, Sophia Shi, Constantine S. Tripodes and Jason D. Zhang.

“This is an incredible achievement for these 11 students,” Dr. Tim Wagner, Upper St. Clair High School principal, said. “We are so proud – not only of their national recognition – but for the effort and dedication our students display in their daily academics and extra-curricular pursuits.” 

Founded in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. Students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the PSAT – the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test – during the fall of their junior year. Of the nearly 1.6 million entrants, the top one percent (approximately 16,000 students) qualify as Semifinalists.

The Upper St. Clair Semifinalists have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must submit a detailed scholarship application that highlights academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the Semifinalists on Sept. 9, 2020. National Merit Finalists will be named in February 2021, followed by the National Merit Scholars in the spring. The program awards three types of National Merit Scholarships - 2,500 National Merit Scholarships of $2,500; approximately 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships; and 4,100 college-sponsored Merit Scholarships.

For more information regarding the National Merit Scholarship Program, visit: www.nationalmerit.org.