North Shore National Merit Semifinalist Announced

Principal Eric Contreras along with Director of Counseling, Dan Doherty, of North Shore High School, proudly announced that Joanna Kim was named a Semifinalist in the 71st 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 6,870 National Merit® Scholarships worth more than $26 million that will be offered next spring. About 95% of the Semifinalists are expected to gain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. Semifinalists will be notified if they advance to the Finalist level.

“We are proud of Joanna Kim on her terrific accomplishment,” said Principal Eric Contreras. “She is a stellar member of our North Shore community. Her achievements are emblematic of our North Shore Journey. She is intellectually driven, a talented orchestra musician, high honors mathematics and science student, and multilingual leader who brings out the best in those around her. We celebrate Joanna’s recognition as a National Merit Semifinalist.”

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. Over 1.3 million juniors in more than 21,000 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.

Director of Counseling, Mr. Dan Doherty, said, “We are so proud of Joanna Kim’s accomplishments both in and out of the classroom. Beyond her test scores, she is a talented musician, accomplished student, and service minded individual that has volunteered in many different capacities.”

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 280 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.

Article and photos by Shelly Newman Stats provided by the National Merit Scholarship Program.