Nine Upper St. Clair students named merit semifinalists
Carter Chui
Jasmine Dietiker
Matthew Earley
Ansh Goyal
Peer Khan
Jason Lu
Phillip Markovitz
Lauren Starr
Benjamin Wasson
Nine Upper St. Clair High School seniors were recently named semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Competition.
The following students scored in the top one percent of all juniors completing the PSAT in October 2021: Carter L. Chui, Jasmine F. Dietiker, Matthew O. Earley, Ansh Goyal, Peer Abdul-Qadir Khan, Jason Lu, Phillip T. Markovitz, Lauren E. Starr and Benjamin G. Wasson.
“We are proud of the accomplishments of this year’s semifinalists. When considering the many gifts that these students possess, we are also so impressed by the quality of their character,” Dr. Timothy Wagner, Upper St. Clair High School principal, said.
“Recognizing nine semifinalists is not only a source of pride for these students and their families, but also reflects positively on our entire school community. We’re pleased to honor the hard work and dedication that each has exhibited in his or her years at USCHS.”
Thirteen additional USC seniors gained the commended student distinction.
They were: Colin J. Eccher, Morgan E. Huzjak, Rebecca G. Lang, Carter P. McClintock-Comeaux, Quinton B. Miller, Keshav A. Narasimhan, Chase A. Neponuceno, Patrick M. Nowak, Mariah M. Rainier, Lindsay R. Ross, Evan J. Sarkett, Daniel A. Wang and Henry Zheng.
“We are incredibly proud of these 12 students,” Dr. Wagner said. “Their academic excellence along with their contributions as student leaders in the classroom, within our student organizations, and on our athletic fields makes them well-rounded individuals who will continue to thrive beyond high school.”
Founded in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. Students enter the program by taking the PSAT during the fall of their junior year.
The nationwide pool of semifinalists, approximately 16,000 students, 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.
Commended students placed among the top 50,000 students by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship qualifying test last October.
According to the program’s website, “The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.”
The USC semifinalists have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,250 national scholarships that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a scholarship award, semifinalists must submit a detailed application that highlights academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment as well as honors and awards received.
Finalists will be named in February 2023, followed by the National Merit Scholars in the spring. The program awards three types of scholarships — 2,500 for $2,500; approximately 950 are corporate-sponsored and 3,800 are college-sponsored.
Visit: www.nationalmerit.org for more information on the program.