Fourteen seniors from Grissom and Huntsville High have been selected as a National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists for 2020. Approximately 16,000 students out of over 1.5 million were selected across the U.S. as Semifinalists in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The Semifinalists selected represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and will have a chance to compete for over 7,600 scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered in the spring of 2020.

Six Grissom High Seniors (3 boys 3 girls) standing in lobby after being recognized as National Merit Semifinalists

The Semifinalists from the district are Arthur Carmack, Emily Cowart, Patrick Gamble, Jacob Greer, Amanda McAllister, Jennifer McCain, Julia Pettersen, and Jiaming Shen from Grissom High, along with Bennett Blankenship, Ella Burch, Anne Foreman, Kittson Hamill, Henry Limbo, Thomas Tonsmeire from Huntsville High.

HCS College Counselor Sheri Crigger says that “these students are ones that we know will go on to achieve great things.” She added “this recognition represents over a decade of work from not only the students, but their teachers, school staff, and family.”

Six Huntsville High Seniors (three boys and three girls) standing and sitting in the library after being selected as 2020 National Merit Semifinalists

Students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Scholarship Qualifying Test. To become a Finalist, each candidate and their school must submit a detailed application that includes records of academics, school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, along with any employment, honors, and awards received. Out of the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, around 90% will likely advance to the Finalist level.

This past spring, one of Huntsville City Schools National Merit Finalists, Alison Hu, was one of only two Alabama high school students selected as a U.S. Presidential Scholar for 2019.

Fourteen HCS Seniors Selected as 2020 National Merit Semifinalists