Osceola Students Named Semifinalists In The National Merit Scholarship Program
Eight academically-talented students in Osceola County have been named as Semifinalists in the 67th annual 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program, and have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $30 million that will be offered in the spring:
• Evan Halperin – Celebration High
• Nicolas Riveros – Celebration High
• Israel Rosales – Celebration High
• Sarah York – Celebration High
• Zachary Zelmanski – Celebration High
• Sean McBride – Osceola County School for the Arts
• Emily Chesnut – Poinciana High
• Noah Jenkins – St. Cloud High
The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which serves as an initial screen of entrants each year, and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements. From the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.
Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2022. Every Finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit® $2500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state-representational basis. About 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 220 corporations and business organizations for Finalists who meet their specified criteria. In addition, about 180 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 4,000 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for Finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.
Draper Law Office congratulates these eight amazing students, and we wish them great luck as the National Merit Scholarship Program continues. They have represented the Osceola School District and the community with excellence! Best of luck in the future!
