Return to Headlines

Seven Hastings High School Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

National Merit Scholarship Program logoYesterday, seven Hastings High School seniors– Justin Baldassare, Robert Burdick, Hazel DePreist-Sullivan, Jacob Goldman-Wetzler, Sonya Lasser, Owen Linder, and Zixuan Wang–were named Semifinalists in the 69th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP). 

Approximately 1.3 million high schoolers enter the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT), the initial screening used to designate a pool of more than 16,000 Semifinalists representing less than one percent of high school seniors nationwide. 

Hastings' Semifinalists now have the chance to compete for a Finalist title by submitting scholarship applications, which will be evaluated by a committee of experienced college admission officers and high school counselors. The application information includes:

  • Academic Records
  • Recommendation letters from the district
  • Essays
  • Extracurricular activities
  • PSAT/NMSQT scores

The NMSP honors students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of these students will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the prestigious Merit Scholar title.

To echo a statement made last year by Superintendent Dr. William McKersie, these seniors exemplify the intellectual growth that Hastings faculty are fostering from grades K-12.

Please join us in congratulating Hastings’ seven Semifinalists on this esteemed honor.