Five Seniors Announced as National Merit Finalists

Five Pine-Richland High School students have earned National Merit Scholarship finalist qualification by ranking in the top 15,000 of more than 1.3 million students. Seniors Sean Burk, Thomas DeVito, Tim Peng, Charlie Ozelski and Heath Cwynar were announced last week as moving forward in the competition with this prestigious recognition. 

As National Merit finalists, this group has an opportunity to qualify for National Merit Scholarships. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation provides over 7,000 scholarship opportunities to National Merit finalists and nearly $28 million in scholarships to students to support higher education.  

To advance to the finalist level, all semifinalists must hold high academic standards and various other requirements. The only way to be recognized for a National Merit Scholarship is to advance to the finalist level.

Finalists are chosen based on their accomplishments, abilities, and skills. All National Merit Scholarship selectors review the student's academic record, school's grading system and curriculum, school officials' recommendations, two sets of test scores, student activities, and leadership and the student's essay.

More than 8,000 finalists will be selected to receive National Merit Scholarships. Other scholarships available are the corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships and college-sponsored Merit Scholarships.