Samantha Harrell is a Semifinalist in the National Achievement Scholarship Program

York High School senior Samantha Harrell is one of more than 1,600 Black American high school seniors designated semifinalists in the 50th National Achievement Scholarship Program, sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. 

Samantha was recognized at a District 205 School Board meeting last month with a proclamation read by her mother, board member Dr. Margaret Harrell.

Samantha now has the opportunity to continue in the competition for about 800 Achievement Scholarship awards worth about $2.5 million that will be offered in the spring. About 80 percent of semifinalists generally attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win an Achievement Scholarship award.

The National Achievement Scholarship Program, conducted by NMSC, is a privately financed academic competition that operates without government assistance. Initiated in 1964, to date about 32,700 young men and women have received Achievement Scholarship awards worth about $103 million.