CPS Celebrates 16 National Merit Finalists!

Sixteen students at two schools across Cincinnati Public Schools were named National Merit Scholarship Finalists. The students at Walnut Hills High School and Spencer Center were selected through an application process after qualifying for semifinalists. 

According to its website, the National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. Approximately 1.5 million high school students enter the program each year by taking the PSAT or the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) as a junior. 

Winners are selected from the finalist group based on their abilities, skills and accomplishments which are evaluated by the Finalist’s academic record, information about the school’s curriculum and grading system, PSAT/NMSQT score, a written letter of recommendation, information about student activities and leadership and the Finalist’s essay. 

CPS wishes each of its finalists good luck in the coming weeks as notifications of National Merit Scholarship recipients are notified.

CPS’ National Merit Finalists include:

• Yun Gwon Park - Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students
• Ahmad Alrefai - Walnut Hills High School
• Sarthak Dighe  - Walnut Hills High School
• Matthew Dillon - Walnut Hills High School
• Graham B. Dunwoodie - Walnut Hills High School
• Luke Henry Early - Walnut Hills High School
• Noah Esmail - Walnut Hills High School
• Nathan R. Huang - Walnut Hills High School
• Louis Ke - Walnut Hills High School
• Garrett O’Malley Kirsch - Walnut Hills High School
• Lydia Knutson - Walnut Hills High School
• Miriam Knutson - Walnut Hills High School
• Joseph Liao - Walnut Hills High School
• Nicolas Luginbill - Walnut Hills High School
• Eliza Rian O’Keefe - Walnut Hills High School
• Neil Sampath - Walnut Hills High School

For more information about the National Merit Scholarship, please visit https://www.nationalmerit.org/