Five students named semifinalists for National Merit Scholarship Program

Five local students have earned a semifinalist slot in the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program.

Students are entered into the program when they take Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test their junior year.

About 1.5 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program. The semifinalists, which represent less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors, were the highest scoring entrants in each state.

From the approximately 16,000 students declared semifinalists, about 15,000 will advance to the finalist level, which will be announced in February. Every finalist will compete for one of the 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state representational basis, as well as nearly 5,000 corporate and college-sponsored merit scholarships.

To become a finalist, semifinalists must submit a detailed scholarship application that outlines their academic achievements, leadership skills and participation in school and community activities. Semifinalists also must earn high SAT scores and write an essay.

Claire Schafer, semifinalist, National Merit Scholarship

For Sierra Hughes, a semifinalist and a senior at Jackson High School, finding a topic to write about for her essay was simple.

"I wrote about Missouri Scholars Academy," she said. "It was just a really great learning environment ... everyone was really into learning, and when you're a sort of 'overachiever' it's hard to find that environment."

Hughes said she would like to be a scholarship winner, but as she prepares for the long wait before the announcement, she won't be nervous.

Claire Schafer, one of three semifinalists from Notre Dame Regional High School, said it was an honor to be chosen. She thought she might be named a "Commended Scholar," but never expected to be a semifinalist.

"It's crazy to think about," she said. "I don't think of myself as that caliber."

Sierra Hughes, semifinalist, National Merit Scholarship

Schafer, who currently is looking at colleges in the Chicago area, said she hopes the scholarship gives her more opportunities as she applies to some of her favorite schools.

Notre Dame senior Maddie Baumgart said she was surprised to learn she was a semifinalist. She plans to attend the University of Mississippi and said winning a merit scholarship could go a long way.

"The scholarship money would really help, especially if the school offered one, too," Baumgart said.

The extra assistance could mean not working her freshman year, she said, which would free up more time to study and take extra classes. She's also interested in becoming an honors student and said adding "Merit Scholar" to her application could make all the difference.

Senior Abby Ritter said she thought she had a chance at the semifinals after taking the PSAT, but was still thrilled to learn she was one of three semifinalists from Notre Dame.

Abby Ritter

"I was really, really excited when I found out I was a semifinalist, but when I found out two others were as well, I think that was the most exciting part," she said. "I just felt really proud of my school."

Ritter said waiting for the announcements for each round of the scholarship program was difficult, but she's "keeping her fingers crossed" as she sends in her application to be a finalist.

Vikas Rudrappa, a semifinalist from Cape Girardeau Central High School, said he became familiar with the scholarship program after his older brother took his PSAT. Before taking the test, Rudrappa said he looked into the program online.

He hasn't decided on a school yet, but knows he wants to study medicine.

"That type of scholarship will help a lot," he said. "And lots of colleges give extra scholarships for National Merit Scholars."

Cape Central student Vikas Rudrappa has received a National Merit Scholarship. (Adam Vogler)

For now, Rudrappa said he's planning his essay and preparing to send off his application. He's not nervous yet, but as announcement time approaches he said that could change.

The 2014 National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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