After passing the semifinalist stage of the National Merit scholarship program, Kings is proud to announce that three students, Luke Danko, Gina Grosso and Alexa Murray have made it to the finalist round.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) was created in 1955. NMSC conducts nationwide scholarship competitions to honor students who are academically advance in the United States.

NMSC strives “to promote and wider and deeper respect for learning, shine a spotlight on brilliant students and encourage academic excellence, and “increase support from organizations that wish to sponsor scholarships for outstanding scholastic talent.” 

To enter in to the scholarship program competition, students must take the PSAT/NMSQT and receive the highest index selection scores. Approximately 1.5 million students enter per year. In late September, the field of candidates is narrow to 16,000 applicants. From this point, students are either given a college or corporation merit scholarship award.

The three finalist at Kings, Gina Grosso, Luke Danko, and Alexa Murray, have shown academic excellence through their rigorous courses and a variety of advanced placement classes.

“I’m open to any money that will be offered to him for college,” said Danko, who is ranked third in his class and currently takes six AP classes.

Grosso takes four AP classes and plans to attend either The Ohio State University or Indiana University. Murray is taking three AP classes, dedicated to maintaining her grades.

“I’m relieved to finally be a finalist,” said Murray. “I’m ready the her next big step in her life.”