Three Monroe-Woodbury High School students named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

CENTRAL VALLEY — Congratulations to Ethan Czerwinski, Emma Dawson and Victor Yang, who are among the approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered in spring 2019.
“We are so proud of our students for this well earned achievement,” said Superintendent of Schools Elsie Rodriguez. “These three hard working students epitomize our mission to inspire success. They have each defined what that success means to them – involvement in clubs, sports and organizations – as well as striving to be the best they can be academically. Congratulations! We look forward to supporting them as they work through the next steps in the process.”
What's nextAccording to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition to be considered for a Merit Scholarship award. More than 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and about half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship.
The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of United States high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state. The number of semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.
To become a finalist, the semifinalist and his or her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.
A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.
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.
All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of finalists. 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.