Five Anoka-Hennepin seniors named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists
(09/11/19) Five Anoka-Hennepin seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, and each are now in the running to earn one of the 7,500 scholarships of up to $2,500 for college.
The students: Blaine High School senior Ryan McGregor; and Champlin Park High School seniors Sarah Magner, Jack Nightingale, Connor Preston, and Georgiana Stammer.
The five Anoka-Hennepin students join approximately 16,000 semifinalists nationally who have an opportunity to become National Merit Scholars.
Anoka-Hennepin’s National Merit semifinalists had to score in the top 1% in the state on the Preliminary SAT test, which was administered last year when students were juniors. More than 1.5 million juniors in more than 21,000 high schools took that test, officials say.
The next step for the five semifinalists is to submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, honors and awards received, among other requirements. Finalists will be announced in February, and those who advance will learn as early as April whether they’ve earned a scholarship.
Nationally, 2,500 will earn the most prestigious prize — a one-time $2,500 National Merit Scholarship by being named National Merit Scholars. Another 5,000 will receive college and corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000 per year.
Last year Blaine High School’s Alexis Wagenfeld earned the title of National Merit Scholar, and a number of other students earned college and corporate-sponsored scholarships.