Principal Robert Bhoolai announced Robinson’s National Merit Finalists over the intercom Friday morning, Feb. 24. All five of Robinson’s National Merit Semifinalists were named National Merit Finalists. They are:

• Nell-Curry Boushall
• Jacob Freedman
• Isabel Hanewicz
• Sarah Jennewein
• Laura Thompson

“The National Merit Finalist are like the top of the top,” Bhoolai said. “So I’m extremely proud that we have five of them this year that are moving on to a national competition and one of them could possibly win.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition that recognizes and gives scholarships. The program was started in 1955 and has been recognizing students ever since. High School students enter the National Merit program by participating in the PSAT in their junior year and receiving a qualifying test score, and meeting published program entry and participation requirements.

To participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program students must take the PSAT, be enrolled as a high school student, progressing normally toward graduation and planning to attend college full time, and must be a U.S citizen. Approximately 15,000 semifinalists are notified in February by mail that they have been chosen to be a finalist and their principals are then notified and provided with certificates to present to the finalists.

7,500 finalists are selected nationwide to receive a Merit scholarship award. There are three types of merit scholarships including National Merit $2500 scholarship, Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship Award, and College- sponsored Merit Scholarship award.