National Merit Scholarship Award Winners Honored

Being a National Merit Finalist is an one of the most distinguished honors a high school student can obtain.  The highest-achieving students represent less than 1 percent of the initial pool of entrants.

This month about 15,000 semifinalists were notified that they advanced to the finalist stage. And of those 15,000 students, the National Merit Scholarship award is handed out to about 8,300 students across the country.

Lower Moreland High School is lucky enough to have two of those.

David Lakata and Christopher Keane were recognized at the Lower Moreland School Board meeting this week for their academic achievement.

“In February some 15,000 semifinalists are notified my mail at their home addresses that they advanced to the finalists standing,” Superintendent Dr. Marykay Feeley said. “And we have two of those 15,000 sitting before us. Our winners of the National Merit Program are finalists from the final group based on their abilities, their skills and their accomplishments.”

The National Merit Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began back in 1955. Students enter by taking the preliminary SAT’s, and a National Merit Scholarship qualifying test. And that is just the initial screening of 1.5 million entrants each year.

Lakata and Keane were presented with certificates in front of the School Board Directors on Tuesday.

“This is such a great honor to present these types of certificates to students who are so engrossed in their education,” LM School Board president Dr. Murray Cohen said. “Congratulations going forward and may all your dreams be met.”