Sasha DeSilva ‘16 is National Merit Scholarship Finalist
Pictured L to R: Mr. McGlinn – Head of Upper School, Mrs. Ewing – Senior English Teacher, Sasha DeSilva ’16, and CAPT Fine – Headmaster
This year Admiral Farragut Academy senior student Sasha DeSilva claimed the coveted spot as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Sasha achieved the finalist status thanks to her performance on the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) in which she scored in the top one percent.
Sasha is under consideration to earn some of the $32 million of National Merit Scholarships that will be offered this spring. Approximately 15,000 students across the country are named as National Merit Scholarship Finalists, and nearly half of those students will receive a scholarship.
To achieve finalist status, semifinalists and their high schools must submit a detailed scholarship application in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, and honors and awards received.
Given to high school juniors, more than 1.5 million students took the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2014. Approximately 16,000 students are named as National Merit Scholar Semifinalists, and roughly 34,000 students are designated as Commended Students.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955. Its scholarships are underwritten by its own funds and approximately 500 business organizations and higher education institutions that share its goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.
