Merit Scholars

Nine seniors at Jesuit High School have been named National Merit Semifinalists, Jesuit principal Barry Neuburger announced at a special Convocation ceremony Wednesday (Sept. 9).

The nine seniors are: Jamison Bene, Maddux Corish, John Hentschel, Gantt Meredith, J.J. Miller, Jacob Shoop, Brendan Sutton, Brett Vance, and Adam Weekley.

The prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program, which is in its 61^st year, announced this week approximately 16,000 Semifinalists nationwide. Semifinalists are selected based on PSAT scores, a standardized test administered their junior year. About 1.4 million nationwide took the PSAT last year, and less than 1% of all seniors are honored as Semifinalists.

Jesuit ranks sixth among the more than 50 Jesuit high schools in the nation in percentage of its seniors who attained National Merit Semifinalist status this school year.

Jesuit also has more boys who are National Merit Semifinalists this year than any high school in the Tampa Bay area.

The nine Jesuit seniors will continue in the pursuit of some 7,400 National Merit Scholarships worth about $32 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and more than half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.