Fort Smith Schools Students Named 2022 National Merit Scholarship Finalists

Press release from the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce:

March 7, 2022

Two students from Fort Smith Public Schools have been named 2022 National Merit Scholarship Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). All Finalists will be considered for National Merit Scholarship awards to be offered in 2022.

• Emma Paulus, Southside High School
  • Daughter of Dr. David and Heather Paulus
• Leen Samman, Southside High School
  • Daughter of Zaki and Kefah Samman

“Emma and Leen have demonstrated great resilience and perseverance in the face of a very challenging educational experience. Their hard work and dedication has paid off in the achievement of such a great honor,” said Jeff Prewitt, Principal of Southside High School.

There were approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors. Approximately half of the

Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. National Merit Scholarship winners of 2022 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July.

This press release was produced by the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.