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16 CPS Students Named Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program

Cincinnati Public Schools is thrilled to announce 15 outstanding students from Walnut Hills High School and one exceptional student from Cincinnati Digital Academy were named Semifinalists in the prestigious 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. 

“We are extremely proud of our student’s accomplishment. We know all the hard work he’s put into this and we’re thrilled that it’s paid off,” said Cincinnati Digital Academy Principal Eric Rozier. “Jack Richey is our school’s first National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, but we hope we can keep this momentum going and get even more in the future.” 

More than 16,000 students across the country were named semi-finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corp with less than one percent of the nation’s high school seniors accepted into this select group. 

As semifinalists, students earned the opportunity to continue their journey in pursuit of one of the 7,140 National Merit Scholarships, collectively valued at nearly $28 million, which will be awarded next spring.

Students are selected based on the results of the 2022 preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. 

Semifinalist and senior at Walnut Hills High School, Alexander Krol said that while the title of semifinalist may be presented to individuals, the results were a group effort. 

“A lot of us that were named semifinalists would study together throughout the year,” Krol said. “I’m super honored and proud to be among so many of my friends who share academic interests and a curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. This is something that's bonded us together, and we’ll always have this National Merit connection with each other now.” 

Krol said being named finalist will open new possibilities for his future college endeavors.

About 15,000 semifinalists are expected to advance to the finalist level in February. 

Congratulations and best of luck to each of these exceptional students from Walnut Hills High School and Cincinnati Digital Academy! You can find a full list of semifinalists below. 

 

 

Walnut Hills High School: 

  • Angelina DiPaola

  • Reese Doty

  • Marie Flessa

  • Raghav Gangatirkar

  • Owen Hastings

  • Sabine Johns

  • Brooklynn Kongdech

  • Benjamin Krietemeyer

  • Alexander Krol

  • Amira Malave

  • Lap Nguyen

  • Jonah Swift

  • Logan Symson

  • William Walker

  • Sidney Woolley

 

Cincinnati Digital Academy: 

  • Jack Richey