Three North Shore Finalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship® Program

North Shore Counseling Director, Dan Doherty said, "I am happy to report that Seamus Hughes, Raymond Lin, and Wenqi (Peter) Xiao have been named as National Merit Finalists through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. This means they are still in the running to win a National Merit Scholarship, which will be announced in late March 2025."

In September, Seamus, Raymond, and Wenqi (Peter) were designated Semifinalists. 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, 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. The selection of some 6,870 Merit Scholarship winners from the group of more than 15,000 Finalists is in progress.

Approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

Principal Contreras remarked, "We are proud of Seamus, Raymond, and Wenqi (Peter) on their terrific accomplishment. They are stellar members of our North Shore community. They are intellectually driven, talented musicians, multilingual leaders who bring out the best in those around them. We celebrate their recognition as National Merit Finalists.”

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.

Best of luck to Seamus Hughes, Raymond Lin, and Wenqi (Peter) Xiao! Go Vikings Go!

Photo Caption: Article revised and photos by Shelly Newman. Information provided by the National Merit National Merit® Scholarship Program