Thirteen La Cañada High seniors announced as National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

Thirteen seniors this year at La Cañada High School have been announced as National Merit Scholar semifinalists. Out of the more than 1.4 million high school students who took the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) last October, approximately 16,000 students across the nation were notified this past September of the semifinalist distinction.

They were chosen based upon their Selection Index scores, or combined scores from the critical reading, mathematics and writing skills portions of the test.

After being selected a semifinalist, the students must undergo a rigorous selection process to become a finalist. Of the 16,000 semifinalists, some 15,000 finalists will be announced in February. The criteria for selecting finalists are based upon academic record, information about the school’s curricula, test scores, counselor recommendation, extracurricular activities, and a personal essay. Toward the end of the school year, 8,200 of the National Merit Scholar finalists will be designated National Merit Scholars.

“The 2007 National Merit Scholar semi-finalists are unique men and women who have demonstrated the ability to transcend themselves and their own concerns and impact others with their intelligence, creativity and generosity,” said Sally Spangler of the school’s guidance office. “It has been a privilege to become better acquainted with each student and to be a part of their college application process.”

This year’s National Merit Scholar semifinalists are Stephanie Koo, Marisol Im, James Yoo, Sharon Song, Catherine Ni, Carey Speck, Edwin Kim, Mindy Lee, Jodie Liu, Jessica Kim, Rebecca Miller, Amanda Gartside and Ken Li.

Rebecca Miller was awarded the distinction of National Achievement Scholar semifinalist.