Keyur Shah, a Shelton High School senior, has been named a Finalist in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program.
He was presented with a certificate by Headmaster Dr. Beth Smith and Mrs. Kathleen Riddle, K‑12 Guidance Curriculum Leader.
“We are extremely excited about this,” Smith said in an email. “We have not had a National Merit Scholarship Finalist at SHS in 5 years!”
Christopher Clouet, the school district’s superintendent, said in an email Shah’s achievement is “very special.”
“Thanks to all of the teachers and administrators who supported this journey!” Clouet said.
Keyur was entered into the competition as a junior. More than 1.5 million juniors in about 22,000 high schools entered the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants.
A pool of nationwide Semifinalists, which represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, was selected. From this pool these academically talented high school seniors had an opportunity to continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $36 million.
To become a Finalist, a Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. The Semifinalist and a high school official then submit a detailed scholarship application, which includes the student’s essay and information about the Semifinalist’s participation and leadership in school and community activities.
Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.
National Merit Scholarship winners of 2016 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July.
