North Shore Counseling Director Dan Doherty said, “I am happy to report that Claire Tao and Noah Lee have been named as National Merit Finalists through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. This means they are still in the running to win a National Merit Scholarship, which will be announced in late March 2024.”
In September, Claire and Noah were designated Semifinalists.
All Merit Scholar designees are chosen on the basis of their abilities, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.
To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, the nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.
About 95% of the Semifinalists are expected to gain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.
Principal Contreras had remarked, “We are proud of Noah and Claire on their terrific accomplishment. They are stellar members of our North Shore community. They are intellectually driven, talented musicians, multilingual leaders who bring out the best in those around them. We celebrate their recognition as National Merit Finalists.”
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. It was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit® Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 440 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.
