Nicole Cross '22 and Emily Quin '22 have been named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. The prestigious competition identifies top students from around the country who've excelled academically based on their scores on the 2020 PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. 

Less than one percent of high school students achieve this honor. 

Nicole and Emily now have the opportunity to continue in the scholarship competition to be among the 7,500 high school students who will earn National Merit Scholarships. The program expects to award nearly $30 million to students around the country.

"This is a tremendous honor for Nicole and Emily, and we are so proud of their accomplishment," said Andrea Smith, M.Ed., LPC, NCC, IWA's principal. "They are both outstanding students who have thrived in our academically rigorous curriculum. Congratulations to both of them!"

In order for Nicole and Emily to become National Merit Finalists, they must submit a detailed scholarship application, providing information about their academic record, their involvement in school and community activities, their leadership abilities, and other honors received. The National Merit Scholarship Program estimates that 15,000 students will advance to the Finalist level. National Merit Scholars will be named on the basis of their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in college.