Three Friends Academy seniors – Daniel Duke, Annika Lobo, and Austin Notaris – were selected as 2024 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
"These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth $28 million," stated the organization.
Danny, Annika, and Austin competed in a total pool of 1.3 million juniors who entered the program by taking the 2022 PSAT Qualifying Test. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.
According to the National Merit Scholarship Program, to become a finalist, the Semifinalist and a representative of the school must submit a detailed scholarship application, including the student's academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. "A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student's earlier performance on the qualifying test," added the organization.
The 2024 National Merit Scholarship finalists will be announced in releases beginning in April.