Sept. 14, 2022

Nine named National Merit Semifinalists

Nine Upper St. Clair High School seniors were recently named Semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Competition. The following students scored in the top one percent of all juniors completing the PSAT in October 2021: Carter L. Chui, Jasmine F. Dietiker, Matthew O. Earley, Ansh Goyal, Peer Abdul-Qadir Khan, Jason Lu, Phillip T. Markovitz, Lauren E. Starr and Benjamin G. Wasson.

“We are proud of the accomplishments of this year's National Merit Semifinalists. When considering the many gifts that these students possess, we are also so impressed by the quality of their character,” Dr. Timothy Wagner, Upper St. Clair High School principal, said. “Recognizing nine National Merit Semifinalists is not only a source of pride for these students and their families, but also reflects positively on our entire school community.  We're pleased to honor the hard work and dedication that each has exhibited in his or her years at USCHS.”

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. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, approximately 16,000 students, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

According to the program’s website, “The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.”

The Upper St. Clair Semifinalists have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,250 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. 14, 2022. National Merit Finalists will be named in February 2023, 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 950 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships; and 3,800 college-sponsored Merit Scholarships.

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