NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS                         

North Shore Semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship® Program

Principal Eric Contreras along with Director of Counseling, Dan Doherty, of North Shore High School, proudly announced that Lucia Martin was named a Semifinalist in the 66th annual National Merit® Scholarship Program. Approximately, 16,000 Semifinalists throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. These talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 7,600 National Merit® Scholarships worth more than $30 million that will be offered next spring. In February 2021, Semifinalists will be notified if they advance to the Finalist level.
“The North Shore High School community is immensely proud of Lucia’s accomplishment,” said Principal Eric Contreras. “In all her achievements inside and outside the classroom, she embodies the values of the district as a collaborator, problem solver, innovator and thinker. Her academic achievement, scientific research, leadership in the debate and math teams, and participation in our orchestra, celebrates our collective values as a school and district. We wish her ongoing success in her senior year and beyond.”

At North Shore, Lucia Martin has been involved in the Science Research program for four years. Her latest research has been very timely, investigating COVID-19 through a political science lens. She is currently serving her second year as Co-President of the Debate Club and competes as a member of the Mathletes squad. Additionally, Lucia has been with involved in orchestra since elementary school.

All Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. 1.6 million Juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Exam which served as the initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest scoring entrants in each state. 
Mr. Tim Shea, North Shore Guidance Counselor, stated, “Lucia is a polymath, a person who excels in multiple fields; a scholar with much more than a superficial knowledge of many different interests. She is a remarkable young woman who will have a significant impact on society”

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. It was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit® Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 440 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.
Photo Caption: Article and photos by Shelly Newman. Information provided by the National Merit National Merit® Scholarship Program