Andover Students Advance To National Merit Scholarship Finals

ANDOVER, MA — Five Andover High School students have advanced as finalists in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship program, Principal Caitlin Brown said.

Owen Chanthaboun, Owen Chen, Larry Liu, Jade Nair, and Jennie Wang all received semifinalist distinction in September of last year and met all requirements to move forward in the competition.

As finalists, these seniors will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth almost $30 million.

In order to qualify, a finalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student's performance on the qualifying test.

"For all five of our students to move forward as finalists in the competition is a unique honor and a credit to their hard work," Brown said. "The national recognition of Owen, Owen, Larry, Jade, and Jennie will support their future plans and we are proud of their successes."

"Becoming a National Merit Scholarship finalist is a rigorous process which showcases our students' academic achievement," adds Dr. Magda Parvey, superintendent of Andover Public Schools. "Owen, Owen, Larry, Jade, and Jennie represent the pride and academic strength at Andover High School."

Students learned of their finalist designation in February, and 7,500 winners will be selected from this group of finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.