Berkley High School Student is Semifinalist for National Merit Scholarship

One Berkley High School student is among approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced earlier this month.

Sarah Michalak has advanced in the competition for 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring, the nonprofit announced Sept. 12.

Catherine Demery and Noah Duchan also were recognized as "Commended" students by the NMSC, according to BHS principal Randall Gawel.

"About 1.5 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program," by taking a qualifying test, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. "The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state."

Semifinalists must take the following steps to be considered for advancement in the 58th annual competition, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

• Submit a detailed scholarship application that provides information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, and honors and awards received.
• Be endorsed and recommended by a high school official.
• Write an essay.
• Earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s performance on the qualifying test.

Approximately 15,000 semifinalists are expected to make it to the finalist level and will be notified in February whether they have advanced, the NMSC says. The winners will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a nonprofit that was established in 1955 to administer the program and works in conjunction with 440 business
organizations and higher education institutions.

Visit nationalmerit.org for more information about the program.