Seven students at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts have been named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.
The National Merit Scholarship Corp. announced the names of the Semifinalists for the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program on Wednesday. The students who are all members of the Class of 2022 will have the opportunity to continue in the competition for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth about $3 million that will be offered next spring.
The ASMSA seniors named Semifinalists are:
- Alyx Allred of Harrison;
- Austin Bellis of Jonesboro;
- Soumya Chauhan of Bentonville;
- Ash Hong of North Little Rock;
- Isaiah Jellenik of Conway;
- Gwen Keith-Powell of North Little Rock; and
- Lawson Smith of Jonesboro.
“We congratulate these students for their exceptional accomplishment, and we wish them the very best as they work through the National Merit Scholarship Program's rigorous process,” said Stuart Flynn, dean of academic affairs at ASMSA. “This achievement offers them a learning opportunity that can become a springboard to an extraordinary senior year and the many possibilities beyond.”
To be considered for the National Merit Scholarship Program, students take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test as a junior. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of anticipated graduating seniors.
Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist standing, including a detailed scholarship application that includes information about a Semifinalists academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.
Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The National Merit Scholarship Corp. is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. It was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
Scholarships are underwritten by the corporation with its own funds and by approximately 400 business organizations and higher education institutions.