Area students make National Merit list - KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; KNOE.com |

MONROE, La., (KNOE 8 News) - The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts has announced that nine students have been named Semifinalists in the National Merit and National Achievement Scholarship Programs for 2013. Finalists will be announced in February, 2013 and winners will be announced in April, 2013.

National Merit Semifinalists include Freddy-May AbiSamra of New Orleans, Raine Hasskew of New Orleans, Brian Kim of Monroe, Bronson Schoen of Mandeville, Hana Stillmaker of Montegut, Louis Tao of Monroe and Maya Welch of Lafayette.

National Achievement Semifinalists include Aaliyah Sanchez of Prairieville and Dyadra Saulsberry of Sorrento.

Now in its 58^th year, the National Merit Scholarship Program is open to high school seniors and honors the nation's scholastic champions who have shown academic excellence. About 1.5 million juniors entered the 2013 competition by taking the SAT and PSAT, which serves as an initial screen of program entrants. Those scoring the highest on the exams, approximately 16,000, were selected as Semifinalists. Approximately 15,000 will advance to the Finalist level based on their academic record, endorsements from officials from their high school, school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities and honors and awards.

Scholarships are underwritten by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) with its own funds and by approximately 440 business organizations and higher education institutions and operates without government assistance.

The 49^th annual National Achievement Scholarship Program is a privately financed academic competition to recognize academically promising black students throughout the nation and provide scholarships to the most outstanding program participants.

National Achievement requirements for advancement to the Finalist level are similar to those of National Merit.

Of the 1,600 Semifinalists, about 1,300 are expected to advance to the Finalist level. All Achievement Scholar awardees will be selected from the Finalist group on the basis of their abilities, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.