Westside seniors Malia Battafarano, Cynthia France, Theodore Jansen, Andrew Johanningsmeier, Reese Pike, and Joshua Siegel recently qualified as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. Only 16,000 seniors in the nation are accepted into this program, and they represent less than one percent of the seniors in the United States.

“National Merit semifinalist[s] are a group of students who scored in the top one percent on the PSAT test in the fall of their junior year,” Jansen said. “It varies on the state, what score you need [to qualify].”

These semifinalists now have the opportunity to fill out application paperwork and write an essay to be eligible for a variety of scholarships at different institutions.

“[This opportunity] means a lot because [of] the chance to get scholarships, and [the fact that] some of them are full tuition scholarships at different institutions is really important,” Jansen said.

Pike said that she is grateful to have the opportunity of earning scholarships because college is rather expensive.

“I’m excited,” Pike said. “I’m glad I get to apply for a scholarship.”

Battafarano said that she credits hard work and a good GPA for her success on the PSAT, as well as her family.

“My family has always been motivational to me, and I’ve had some really wonderful teachers who have helped me,” Battafarano said.

Similar to Battafarano, Jansen said that his parents have helped him get to where he is today.

“My parents [inspired me] by instilling a drive for learning and academic success from a young age, especially reading to me when I was very young,” Jansen said. “They set me on a good path to where I am now.”