2 National Merit Semifinalists at Framingham High

Framingham High students Priyanka Roy and Eric Bornstein, based on their PSAT scores, have been designated as a semifinalist in the prestigious National Merit competition.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 61st annual National Merit Scholarship Program, earlier this school year.

These academically-talented high school students have an opportunity to continue in the competition for more than 7,000 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million.

Bornstein, 17, and Roy, 17, are both seniors at Framingham High.

Both said math is their favorite subject, because they like problem solving.

Bornstein is involved in the Robotics Club, Math Team, and National Honor Society. He is also a member of the tennis team.

Roy is president of the high school’s quiz bowl team, participates in Model UN, and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Bornstein plans to major in computer science and math at college, and hopes to become either an engineer or computer scientist.

Roy wants to major in biology and math in college.

Bornstein attended Barbieri Elementary and Walsh Middle. He is the son of Lori Bornstein and Alan Rothman.

Roy attended both Brophy and Hemenway elementary schools and Walsh Middle. She is the daughter of Angshuman Roy and Sangeeta Roy.

About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and about half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

To advance to the finalist round each semifinalist must have a record of high academic performance, be endorsed and recommended by their school’s principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm their earlier qualifying test performance.

Framingham High Principal Elyse Torbert announced a dozen students received a commendation in the 2016 National Merit Program.

For those at the high school who will take the PSATs in the future, Roy recommends pacing yourself “ by skipping over hard questions so you can spend more time getting other questions right.”