PHS has record number of National Merit Semifinalists

Pensacola High School yesterday announced that 20 PHS seniors have received national recognition based upon their performance on the PSAT, which is taken by over 1.6 million high school juniors in more than 22,000 high schools each year.

The following students have qualified as National Merit Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors: Carla Dias, Nada Eldawy, Sarah Escobedo, Madeline Hawkins, Lisa Liebens, Allen Litvak III, Audrey Mahon, Katherine McCall, Madison Michles, Anna Neville, Cody Wolfe, and Kelly Wu.

These Semifinalists are among the 16,000 highest-scoring entrants who will compete for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million that will be offered next spring. Each Semifinalist, along with PHS, will submit a detailed scholarship application in which they provide information about academic performance, school and community activities, leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Also, based on PSAT performance, Letters of Commendation are awarded nationally to 34,000 students who show outstanding academic promise. PHS is proud to recognize the following students who have been named National Merit Commended Scholars: Meghan Kapur, Madelyn Mahon, Joseph McCormack, Dalton McMenamin, William Nevils, Alexandra Nielsen, Zachary Peltzer, and Daniel Vandiver. These students are candidates for special scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.

“This impressive list of academically-talented students represents the greatest number of National Merit Scholars from a senior class in the history of Pensacola High School,” said Laura Brewer, Coordinator/Administrator of the International Baccalaureate Program at Pensacola High School. “Principal Williams and I are thrilled with the success and promise of these twenty outstanding students.”

Pensacola High School congratulates these students on the prestigious honor of being recognized in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program.