11 Berkeley Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

BERKELEY, CA — 11 students who attend Berkeley High School were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced.

The students joined more than 16,000 students in the running to be named a National Merit Scholar, and receive a $2500 scholarship to help them further their educations. Students from this same list may be offered scholarships from colleges, universities and their parents' employers. The most elite scholarships cover all tuition for four years of study.

The following semifinalists received PSAT/NMSQT exam scores high enough to place them in the top one percent of US high school seniors:

• Bianchi-McElwee, Max
• Cheng, Simon
• Cline, Amon
• Coleman, Anna
• Dernburg, Benjamin
• Nickolaus, Ilana
• Philhower, Violet
• Saenz, Alita T.
• Simic, Emanuel
• Srinivasan, Lucas
• Underwood, Calder

To become a finalist, semifinalists must submit a detailed application that provides information on their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. They must also write an essay, be recommended by a high school official, and receive SAT or ACT scores high enough to qualify.

About 95 percent of semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of finalists are expected to win a National Merit Scholarship, according to the NMSC. Winners will be announced between April and July of 2025.