By Alyssa Hahn and Kim DeGuzman
Junior Staff Writer and Research Editor

This year, A-TECH has four National Merit Semifinalists, Casey Goodwin, James Morgensen, Jacqueline Scott and Christian Tidwell.

The four seniors were selected for the honor because their PSAT scores from 2007 were among the top 16,000 in the country. Of the 16,000 semifinalists, 15,000 will become finalists.

In order to become a National Merit Finalist, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements which include having a consistently high academic record, completing an application, being recommended by a school official, and receiving a score on their SAT that confirms their PSAT performance.

National Merit Scholarship Competition is held every year and gives students recognition and a chance of obtaining a wide variety of college undergraduate scholarships.

“I really was pretty surprised,” says Jacqueline Scott on how she felt when she found out she was a semifinalist.

“Credential wise, yes, I believe I am able to fulfill all these requirements to become a finalist,” says James Morgensen. “But even if I do not become a finalist, there will still be many opportunities for me to get scholarships just for being a semifinalist.”

The students will find out if they are finalists in early February by mail at their home addresses and can use their scholarship for the school of their choice.

“Fifteen out of sixteen people make it into finalist standing, so I think I have a pretty good chance,” says senior Christian Tidwell, “I plan to use my scholarship at either Cornell or Brigham Young University to major in architecture.”

Many schools offer scholarships, ranging from a couple thousand dollars to full-ride, to National Merit Finalists.