National Merit semifinalists announced for 2024

Three Kalispell high school students and a Polson student have been named National Merit semifinalists.

Dyson Linden and Brody Turner of Flathead High School, Van Scholten of Glacier High School and Isabel Seeley of Polson High School are among 16,000 students to reach semifinalist status around the U.S., according to a press release.

The high school seniors entered the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test as juniors. The PSAT/NMSQT serves as the initial screen of entrants.

More than 15,000 semifinalists are expected to advance to the finalist level, which will be announced in February. To become a finalist, a semifinalist must submit a detailed application that provides information about the student’s academic record, school and community involvement, leadership abilities, employment and awards received. Additionally, students must have high SAT or ACT scores, write an essay and be recommended by a high school official.

Finalists will compete for one of 2.500 National Merit $2,500 scholarships, 840 corporate-sponsored scholarships and about 3,800 college-sponsored scholarships. Scholarships winners will be announced between April and July 2024.

All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from the group of finalists.

Merit Scholar designations 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.