September 14, 2011

Hilton High School Senior Emma Steinmetz named National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist

Hilton High School Principal Brian Bartalo has announced that senior Emma M. Steinmetz has been named a National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist.  One of 969 high school seniors from New York State who have been named 2011-12 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, Emma is now in a national pool for a wide array of scholarships.

Emma is a candidate for the International Baccalaureate Diploma at Hilton High School.  She qualified for the honor due to her high score on the PSAT/NMSQT which she took in her junior year.  At the next stage of the competition, Mr. Bartalo will submit additional information about her academic progress as well as SAT scores.

The names of all honorees were announced on Sept. 14, 2011 by the National Merit Scholarship Corp. Approximately 16,000 semifinalists were chosen nationwide. They will compete for 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $34 million, with the winners to be selected next spring.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955.  High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®)–a test which serves as an initial screen of more than 1.5 million entrants each year–and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.  In early September, about 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, are notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists.  To ensure that academically talented young people from all parts of the United States are included in this talent pool, Semifinalists are designated on a state representational basis.  They are the highest scoring entrants in each state.  NMSC provides scholarship application materials to Semifinalists through their high schools.  To be considered for a National Merit® Scholarship, Semifinalists must advance to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and all other requirements explained in the information provided to each Semifinalist.