Oswego Teens Qualify As National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

OSWEGO, IL — Three Oswego students have been named as 2020 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, propelling themselves to the next level of the prestigious college scholarship program. The students are awarded for academic excellence as well as extracurricular participation and community service.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation on Wednesday unveiled the list of 16,000 high school seniors nationwide who have been named semifinalists for the scholarship program. The semifinalists will now go on to compete for 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million.

Students qualify as semifinalists by placing well on the preliminary SAT or PSAT standardized test. Finalists must submit a scholarship application, detailing school performance, leadership skills, community activities, plus honors and awards received. They must also write an essay and receive a recommendation from a school official, according to the organization.

Over 90 percent of semifinalists will move on to the final round, and about half of the finalists receive college scholarships, according to the Evanston-based scholarship organization.

Scholarships are worth $2,500, according to the Merit Scholar program. Winners will be announced beginning in April.

Here are the Oswego students who qualified as semifinalists:

• Oswego High School: Shea Dickinson, Kelsie Jackson
• Oswego East High School: Shaiva Dhyani