1 Upper Merion Student Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist

UPPER MERION, PA — One student at Upper Merion High School has been named a semifinalist in the prestigious National Merit Scholarship competition.

The nationwide program has named some 16,000 semifinalists, or less than 1 percent of the nation's high school seniors.

Jenna Xue, an Upper Merion senior, has been awarded the unique distinction.

Over 1.3 million students across 21,000 high schools were entered into the program by taking the 2023 PSAT as juniors.

Around 15,000 of the 16,000 semifinalists are expected to be named finalists, organizers said.

To be considered for finalist status, semifinalists and a high school official must complete a scholarship application with details on their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.

The 2024 awards cycle marks the 70th annual program for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.