Five Revere High School senior students are now Finalists for National Merit Scholarships which could influence their picks for college.

Revere High school seniors have attained certain scores on their PSAT and SAT tests to qualify as Finalists for the National Merit Scholarship. The seniors who have become finalists are Jennifer Carson, Serena Juchnowski, Anthony Pignataro, Susie Post and Jacob Zimmerman.

Juchnowski explained the way the National Merit Scholarship Program selects the students to initially become competitors for the scholarship deeming select students as semifinalists.

“Semifinalist status is determined by how an individual’s National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) Selection Index score on the PSAT compares to that of his or her state. Each state establishes a cut-off score based upon how test takers scored in that particular state. Students with a Selection Index score at or above the cut-off score for his or her state are designated National Merit Semifinalists. The selection process is designed so that Semifinalists total less than one percent of seniors in each state and nationwide,” Juchnowski said.

Carson shared what the National Merit Corporation is and what the National Merit Scholarships are.
“The National Merit Scholarship [Corporation] is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. There are scholarships offered by the National Merit Program, Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships, and College-sponsored Merit Scholarships,” Carson said.

Juchnowski elaborated on the process after someone is selected to be a candidate for the National Merit Scholarship.
“After being named a Semifinalist, I had to complete the National Merit Scholarship Application, which included an essay. I also had to have taken rigorous coursework throughout high school and done well. Mr. King, as Revere High School’s principal, had to recommend me for a National Merit Scholarship. Another key requirement was that I had to take the SAT and earn a score at or above my predicted SAT score,” Juchnowski said.

Revere High School guidance counselor Jenny Kirchner has worked with some of the student that are Finalists and she explained how the school and counselors aid all students start at a young age to prepare them for the competition.
“What we do is give the PSAT in tenth grade. That really is our option to help the students. [We do that] so they have the practice before they take it when it really matters in eleventh grade. Not all the schools give the PSAT in tenth grade,” Kirchner said.

The Finalists will find out in the spring if they have been fortunate enough to win the scholarships. Even, if the finalists do not receive a scholarship, they still maintain their awarded title.