September 9, 2020
ROCKY RIVER, Ohio – Five Rocky River High School seniors have been named National Merit Semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, while a group of five other seniors have been named National Merit Commended Scholars.
RRHS seniors who have earned National Merit Semifinalist distinction are Evelyn Amsdell, Thomas Capka, William Dunn, Leanne Wattar and Marin Way.
In addition, seniors William Derrick, Jason Gronn, Julia Gutia, Lauren Solecki and Joey Weixel have been named National Merit Commended Scholars.
The five National Merit semifinalists are part of a group of approximately 16,000 students nationwide to be named semifinalists in the prestigious program, representing less than one-percent of U.S. high school seniors. The group now has an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 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. More than 90-percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.
National Merit Scholarship winners of 2021 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. These scholarship recipients will join more than 345,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.