Dallas ISD has 14 finalists in the 61st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The students have a chance at the 7,400 National Merit Scholarships worth approximately $32 million.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
Each year, approximately 1.5 million students undergo PSAT/NMSQT tests. Of those, approximately 15,000 become finalists. Being named a National Merit Scholar finalist is among the most prestigious national recognitions in high school.
“We are proud of these students for achieving this important academic milestone,” Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said. “We will definitely be cheering them on as they move forward in the competition for this coveted scholarship.”
To advance from the semifinalist to the finalist round, students must submit SAT scores that confirm the earlier PSAT/NMSQT performance, have an outstanding academic record, and be endorsed and recommended by a high school official. They must also submit an application that includes high school courses and grades, extracurricular and volunteer activities, and a self-descriptive essay.
The National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced next month.
Here are the National Merit finalists from Dallas ISD:
Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
Elaine Hennig
Science and Engineering Magnet School at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center
Enrique De Alba
Connor Fritz
Calvin Graham
Caleb Hamada
Isys Johnson
Talented and Gifted Magnet School at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center
Gabriella Chan
Mikaela Johnson
Ashley Mai
Shicheng Rao
Sindhu Reddy
William Siedell
Aliya Somani
Jennifer Truitt
