Six seniors at Robinson were named Semi-finalists for this scholarship program: Carter Attardo, Aidan Bai, Chloe Bailey, Emily Brenning, Nathan Pham and Priya Sambasivan.

The National Merit Scholarship Program first began in 1955. The program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. Annually, nearly 1.5 million high school students enroll in the program. To qualify for this scholarship, students who meet the official program entry and participation requirements enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT during their junior year of high school. The PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying test for entry into each year’s competition.

“I was surprised, I think when I took the PSAT I didn’t really realize how much my score mattered so when I got my score and saw that I was probably going to qualify it was a good moment,” Brenning said.

Semifinalists must achieve high academic criteria and all other requirements outlined in the information presented to each Semifinalist in order to proceed to Finalist status in the competition. Roughly 15,000 Semi-finalists will be notified in February that they have progressed to Finalist status. The principals of each high school are also alerted and given a Certificate of Merit to present to each Finalist.