Eight ASMSA students named National Merit Finalists

Eight Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts students were named National Merit Finalists for the 2018-19 academic year by the National Merit Scholarship Corp.

The National Merit Scholarship Corp. recently announced the names of the Finalists for the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program on Wednesday. The students will continue in the competition for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth about $31 million that will be offered this spring.

The ASMSA seniors named Finalists are:

• Andrew Astre of Alma;
• Saoirse Disney-McKeethen of Fayetteville;
• Blake Jefferson of Benton;
• Alex Kaye of Conway;
• Kendele Kramer of Batesville;
• Jade Ma of Bryant;
• Noah Raby of Newport; and
• Rachel Stall of Clarksville.

To be considered for the National Merit Scholarship Program, students take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test as a junior. A nationwide pool of Semifinalists is selected. That pool represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. Students must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist standing, including a detailed scholarship application that includes information about their 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 410 business organizations and higher education institutions.