Dozens of Over the Mountain high school students are among the more than 16,000 students nationwide named as 2023 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.
Vestavia Hills High School has 21 seniors who were named semifinalists, the most from any individual school in the state.
The semifinalists entered the competition by taking the preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, according to a release from the National Merit Scholarship Corp. Less than 1% of high school seniors in the U.S. qualified as semifinalists. They will vie for a share of about 7,250 scholarships worth about $28 million.
Vestavia’s 21 National Merit semifinalists is the largest group of semifinalists from the school since 2006, when it had 24, according to a state from the city school system.
“I’m thrilled for the achievement of these scholars and all the opportunities this will set into motion for them and their families,” Vestavia Hills High School Principal Tonya Rozell said. “They demonstrated great perseverance through many challenges – including several unprecedented years of high school – and continued to learn and grow on the highest level.”
About 95% of semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and about half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, according to the scholarship corporation’s website.
Winners will be announced between April and July.
