PHS Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

Four Poway High seniors have been named as semifinalists in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program, which will award around 8,300 scholarships worth more than $32 million next spring.

To advance to the finalist stage, students will be judged on their academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership abilities, and honors and rewards received, according to the program.

About 90 percent of the 16,000 semifinalists will be named finalists, and more than half of finalists will win a scholarship and earn the Merit Scholar title.

Semifinalists from Poway:

• Jessalyn Baljon

• Marissa N. Lavagnino

• Abraham Ma

• Eric T.  Mueller  

The National Merit Scholarship Program is a non-profit and operates without government assistance. Scholarships are funded by the NMSP and approximately 440 businesses and higher-education institutions.