Memorial High officials report that 24 students have been named National Merit Semifinalists, based on their scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, commonly called the PSAT. Semifinalists rank among the top scorers in Texas. They represent less than 1 percent of all American high school seniors, the College Board reports.
Named National Merit Semifinalists are Memorial High students Neal Akhave, Jesse Berney, Laura Belinski, Kimberly Chang, Brittany Clayton, Amanda Cooper, Stephen Dria, Brennan Guldner, Seong Won Hong, Robert Kollenberg, Philip Lambrakos, Carla Lewis, Robert Nash, Michelle Nguyen, Shelly Ostrofsky, Rachaek Pferdehirt, Kate Phillips, Amanda Sagastegui, Sean Salinger, Patrick Samper, Emily Shoemaker, Jeffrey Song, Christopher Valach and Theresa Valach.
To be named a National Merit Finalist later this year, semifinalists must have a record of high academic performance, be recommended by their principal and earn qualifying SAT scores. These students must also submit a personal essay and other campus or community service qualifications.
The high school also reports that four students have earned National Hispanic Recognition and one student has been named a National Achievement Scholars. These students will be named publicly soon, pending appropriate release dates. (9-20-07)