2 Students At Marlborough School Named National Merit Semifinalists

Information via New England Innovation Academy

MARLBOROUGH, MA – Two New England Innovation Academy students, John Kessler of Litchfield, NH and Kevin Zhou of Westborough, MA, have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, marking a significant academic achievement. As two of only three students in Marlborough to receive this honor, John and Kevin are among the top 1-2 percent of high school seniors nationwide who have excelled on the PSAT/NMSQT, a standardized test taken in 11th grade that serves as an initial screening for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

The National Merit Scholarship Program, conducted by the College Board, identifies and honors students with outstanding academic potential. From over 1.5 million students who take the PSAT/NMSQT annually, only about 16,000 are named semifinalists. Kessler and Zhou now have the opportunity to advance to the Finalist level, with 15,000 students expected to reach this stage. Finalists will be notified of their designation in the spring of 2025.

These students are now in the running for various scholarships. The top is the National Merit $2500 Scholarship, awarded on a state-representational basis to 2,500 Finalists. Additionally, corporate-sponsored scholarships and college-sponsored Merit Scholarships are available, offering even more opportunities for Kessler, Zhou, and their fellow finalists. The winners, to be announced in the spring, will join nearly 375,000 distinguished students who have earned the Merit Scholar title since the program's inception. This recognition highlights the skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in their future studies.