Eleven Penn students named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

Penn High School Principal Sean Galiher announced that 11 Penn students have been named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.

Jayden Bell, Sydney Domal, Reagan Hoke, Anna Huber, Maya Kvaratskhelia, Evan Li, Ryan Ludwig, Joseph Radde, Aidan Sweeney, Benjamin VanderVeen and Grace Waddell are among 16,000 high school students nationwide who have the opportunity to compete for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million.

“We are extremely proud of these students and their accomplishments,” Galiher said. “This recognition is a culmination of the great efforts of these students, including all the wonderful teachers they have had while attending P-H-M schools.  These students represent our vision of excellence and have bright futures."

More than 1.5 million juniors in 21,000 high schools entered the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The 16,000 semifinalists represent less than one percent of the United States’ high school seniors.

Merit Scholars are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies.