Olivia L. '25 has been named a National Merit Semifinalist, a remarkable academic achievement. Out of the 1.3 million students who entered the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, she was one of 16,000 semifinalists worldwide and one of only 296 students in the entire state of Maryland to have earned this honor.
Olivia reflected on her achievement, stating, "Being named a National Merit Semifinalist means two things to me. First, it means that the Maryvale education that has challenged me over the last five-plus years has truly prepared me for my academic future. Second, it gives me confidence that I can compete anywhere academically."
Becoming a Semifinalist began by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as the initial screening for program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.
Olivia has the opportunity to continue in the competition and vie for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. Olivia's achievement is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and the academic excellence fostered at Maryvale. We wish her well as she competes on the national level. Congratulations, Olivia, on this remarkable accomplishment!
