Mikaela Thomas named National Merit Scholarship semifinalist

October 3, 2012

Congratulations to Schuylerville senior Mikaela Thomas, who has been named a semifinalist in the 58th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Mikaela earned the honor by scoring well on her PSAT. In fact, she was in the top one percent of the 1.5 million semifinalists across the country and one of just four Schuylerville students over the past decade to be named a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist.

She joins other academically talented high school seniors from across the country who have an opportunity to continue in the competition for more than 8,000 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $34 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 competition, including maintaining an outstanding academic record, being endorsed by school officials and earning SAT scores that confirm the student's earlier performance on the qualifying test. The semifinalists must also submit a detailed scholarship application, which includes a student essay, as well as information about the student's participation and leadership in school and community activities. 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.

Mikaela has a current academic average of 99.74, which includes honors, advanced placement (AP) and college-level courses. She is involved in the district's Career Education Program, an internship program placing high school in work settings. Mikaela has participated in many leadership activities, including the New York State Council on Leadership and Student Activities Conference, the Empire Girls State Summer Leadership Program on Government and the National Student Council on Leadership Conference on Theatre. She held leadership positions on Student Council, was class president and a peer leader. Mikaela is also actively involved in Schuylerville's Drama Club, as well as music programs and the girls volleyball and basketball teams.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a non-profit organization, runs the scholarship program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC and its own funds and by approximately 440 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC's goals of honoring the nation's scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.