National Merit Scholarship Winner Announced For Madison

MADISON, NJ — One student from Madison High School has been named National Merit Scholarship winner.

Skylar S. Walters was chosen as a 2022 National Scholarship Program finalist from among 15,000 applicants. Walters intends to pursue a future career in science and research.

This scholar was selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by the finalist and their high schools.

This year's National Merit Scholarship Program began in Oct. of 2020 when high school juniors took the PSAT/NMSQT, which served as an initial screen of program entrants.

To become a finalist, the semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the semifinalist's academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.

A semifinalist 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 earlier performance on the qualifying test.

Over 15,000 students from the semifinalist group met the very high academic standards and other requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition.

By the end of the program in 2022, approximately 7,500 finalists will have earned the title of "Merit Scholar" and received nearly $28 million in college scholarships.

Recipients can use their scholarships at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

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