Isabelle Broman '22, Arthur Chen '22, Neena Dzur '22, Bryan Li '22, and Mia Westfere '22 earned the honor. The five finalists make up more than 8 percent of the current senior class. 

"Having five is an incredible amount. It's an incredible honor to those students and the school," said Matt Budreau, a spokesman for National Merit Scholarship Corporation. 

The approximately 15,000 finalists nationwide represent less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors, according to a statement from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. More than 1.5 million students from 21,000 high schools entered the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. 
 
The students will continue competing for one of about 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation will begin notifying winners in April, Budreau said.  

Students and school officials must submit a detailed scholarship application to provide information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received to become a finalist. Semifinalists must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, and write an essay. 
 
Merit Scholar designees are selected based on their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation said in a statement.
 
Congratulations to these five students for their outstanding achievements!