4 Holmdel Teens Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

HOLMDEL, NJ — Four seniors at Holmdel High School were selected as semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship.

The four teens are among a list of 16,000 high school seniors across the country who will continue on in the competition. The winners will be announced in the spring.

Here are their names:

• Andrew Heyt
• Rayan Jawa
• Kyra Santhana
• Angela Shen

The four teens will compete for about 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million.

Last year, one Holmdel High School made it all the way through to the final.

Alexandra L. Emma was selected as one of 3,100 winners receiving National Merit Scholarships sponsored by U.S. colleges or universities they plan to attend.

READ MORE: Holmdel Teen Named National Merit Scholar

The program starts by taking a look at the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test as an initial screen of candidates.

To become a semifinalist, students also have to submit their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, honors and awards received and an essay.

All semifinalists have to have an "outstanding" academic record and be endorsed and recommended by a high school official. From the approximately 16,000 semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level.

The number of semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.