Cheltenham School District recently shared the achievements and future plans of National Merit Scholarship semifinalist senior Kadin Ginkinger and National Merit Commended scholars seniors Madhura Boominathan and Lydia Hessel-Robinson.

While their college decisions are yet to be made, Ginkinger plans to study psychology, Boominathan will study biology, and Hessel-Robinson will study history. 

Ginkinger is one of more than 16,000 semifinalists who have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit scholarships worth nearly $28 million to be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

Commended scholars like Boominathan and Hessel-Robinson fall into the top 2-3 percent of PSAT scores, which is about 34,000 students annually. Commended students receive letters of commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation to recognize the significant academic achievement of scoring so well on the PSAT.

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