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Two students enrolled in Mountain Home Public Schools were recognized as Finalists for the 67th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program last Thursday at MHPS’ regular School Board meeting April 21.
Emili Elkins and Ben Partney both recently received their Certificate of Merit for advancing to Finalist standing.
“I am proud of these students, their parents, and all the educators who helped them get to this point,” said Dr. Jake Long, Superintendent of Mountain Home Public Schools in an email update to media.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance and 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 400 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.
Last September, the NMSC announced the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, among them, Elkins and Partney. About 15,000 advanced to the Finalist level, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title which is shared by 362,000 other distinguished young people.
Every Finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit® $2,500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state-representational basis. About 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 220 corporations and business organizations for Finalists who meet their specified criteria, such as children of the grantor’s employees or residents of communities where sponsor plants or offices are located. In addition, about 180 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 4,000 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for Finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.
To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.
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.
National Merit Scholarship winners of 2022 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July.
