Mars Hill Academy seniors named Merit Scholar Finalists | People

MASON, OH (FOX19) - Two Mars Hill Academy seniors, Andy Giese of West Chester and Esther Cunningham of Liberty Township, recently achieved “Finalist” status in the National Merit Scholar program.

Andy and Esther had been named Semi-finalists in the fall due to their qualifying scores on the Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test. To become a Finalist, a Semi-finalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student's earlier performance on the qualifying PSAT.

The Semi-finalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, which includes the student's essay and information about the Semi-finalist's participation and leadership in school and community activities. More than 25% of Mars Hill graduates (including the class of 2012) have earned Commended or Finalist status.

Approximately 1.5 million juniors representing 22,000 highschools nationwide take the PSAT each year; less than 4% of these students receive recognition as either Semi-finalists or Commended Students. Semi-finalists represent less than 1% of seniors nationwide.