(09/11/2024) Six Anoka-Hennepin seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, and each are now in the running to earn one of the 6,870 scholarships of up to $2,500 for college.

National Merit Scholarship semifinalists:

• Jaxon Knutson, Andover High School.
• Kieran Hobot, Blaine High School.
• Noah Johnson, Champlin Park High School.
• Elizabeth Mayor, Champlin Park High School.
• Cole Burnett, Coon Rapids High School.
• Aidan C. Hofstedt, Coon Rapids High School.

The six Anoka-Hennepin students are among nearly 16,000 semifinalists nationally who have the opportunity to become National Merit Scholars. 

To become a semifinalist, high school juniors entered the National Merit Scholarship program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. 

Next, the semifinalists will submit a detailed scholarship application, providing information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, honors and awards received, among other requirements.

From the 16,000 semifinalists, 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level in February. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of finalists. About 770 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships will be provided and about 150 colleges and universities are expected to finance 3,600 college-sponsored scholarships.

National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July.