Oceanside Student Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist

OCEANSIDE, CA — An Oceanside student was recently named a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced.

Salvatore Palizzolo from Mission Vista High School is among more than 16,000 semifinalists in the running to be named a National Merit Scholar, and receive a $2,500 scholarship to help them further their education. About 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million will be awarded next spring, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

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

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 National Merit Scholarship Corporation.