The organization named seniors Peter Feher, Becky Jarvis and David Speer as Semifinalists in October. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s website, the organization names around sixteen thousand students nationwide as Semifinalists based on PSAT/NMSQT scores they earned their junior year. Of these students, around fifteen thousand will advance to the Finalist standing. Counselor Mike Murphey described the process for students to advance to the finalist level.

“[The National Merit Scholarship Corporation] looks for the top one percent. The students then supplement this score with some additional materials,” Murphey said.

Feher described the materials that Semifinalists must submit to advance to the finalist level.

“To reach finalist status, [Semi-finalists] have to submit something comparable to a college application… [as well as] a recommendation. [The National Merit Scholarship Corporation] also takes into account things like SAT scores at that point.” Feher said.

Both Feher and Speer discovered that they had been named Semifinalists in uncommon ways. Speer explained how he found out about the announcement.
“It was actually kind of funny. I was over at a friend’s house, and their mom [congratulated me]. I [responded] ‘for what?’ and she replied, ‘You’re a National Merit Semifinalist!’” Speer said.

Jarvis explained the various opportunities available to the Finalists.

“There are options for scholarships. The actual National Merit board gives out some scholarships and companies give out other scholarships,” Jarvis said.
The Finalists will have the opportunity to receive a variety of scholarships, including National Merit scholarships, corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships and college-sponsored Merit Scholarships.

Feher also noted the prestige that accompanies the title.

“It’s a title attached to a test score that you don’t really get for any other test. [A student] can take the ACT or SAT and do well, but nothing really comes of it unless [a student] receives a perfect score,” Feher said.

While Feher and Jarvis knew based on the practice test taken sophomore year that they would be able to qualify, the announcement shocked Speer. Speer described his reaction.

“It came as a complete surprise to me… I was honored and pretty shocked,” Speer said.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation will announce the Finalists in February.