Massapequa High School Pair Are National Merit Finalists

MASSAPEQUA, NY — A pair of Massapequa High School students have advanced to the next round of the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. Seniors Matt McAuley and Hayley Tan can call themselves National Merit finalists.

The two students, who were announced as semifinalists in September, were among approximately 15,000 students nationwide to be named finalists. They moved one step closer to potentially earning Merit Awards, which includes scholarship money.

“It is the result of a lot of hard work paying off,” McAuley said. “My parents are definitely proud of that.”

Added Tan, “It’s an honor and I’m very excited about it. I couldn’t have foreseen this.”

The students are both still in the college selection process for the fall. McAuley is looking to study computer science and Tan wants to pursue a degree in neuroscience.

“Matt and Hayley are two hard-working students who have demonstrated academic excellence throughout their Massapequa school experience,” high school Principal Barbara Lowell said. “It is no surprise that they have qualified as National Merit Scholarship finalists. We know that they will do great things in their future.”