Eight National Merit Finalists at HHS

All eight of Homewood High School’s National Merit Semifinalists have been named National Merit Finalists. These seniors are Chris Atchison, Zach Blomeley, Edward DeMetz, Allise Fortinberry, Jacob Helf, Rebecca Riley, Grant Smith and Maggie Williams. 

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) — a test that serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year – and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.

In early September, about 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, are notified that they have qualified as semifinalists. To ensure that academically talented young people from all parts of the United States are included in this talent pool, Semifinalists are designated on a state representational basis. They are the highest scoring entrants in each state. NMSC provides scholarship application materials to semifinalists through their high schools. To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, semifinalists must advance to finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and all other requirements explained in the information provided to each semifinalist.

In February, some 15,000 semifinalists were notified that they have advanced to finalist standing.