Four Central High School seniors are among 16,000 students nationwide named as 2022 National Merit Semifinalists.
Seniors Joshua Donaldson, Adam Honson, Frederick Rivas-Giorgi, and Blakely Thompson have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million that will be offered next spring. 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.
The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Students recognized as National Merit Semifinalists are also active in their schools and volunteer in their communities. The list of activities is a brief overview of their involvement at Central High School:
Joshua Donaldson – Scholar Bowl, Drama club, French club, Chamber and Concert choir, DECA and Missouri Boys State;
Adam Honson – National Honor Society, Student Government, Scholar Bowl, JV Basketball and Golf, Marching Band, Varsity Swim team;
Frederick Rivas-Giorgi – Quiz Bowl, Speech & Debate, Varsity Swim team, Orchestra, Theater and Drama club;
Blakely Thompson – National Honor Society, Student Government, Missouri Scholars, Speech & Debate, Varsity Basketball, Missouri Boys State.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is a highly competitive academic program. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced beginning in April 2022 and concluding in July.