Two Students Named Semifinalists In 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program

Two Westminster School Sixth Formers, Hannah Ford and Jacob Lee, have been named Semifinalists in the 56th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented students have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,400 National Merit Scholarships that will be offered next spring.

During her Westminster career, Hannah, a resident of West Granby, has earned Summus or Superus each term and was named an AP Scholar with Honor. She is very active in Dramat, sings in the school’s choirs, and is a member of the Student Music Organization and Improv Club. She also played junior varsity softball for two years and is active in the youth group of her church.

At Westminster, Jacob, a resident of West Simsbury, has achieved Summus every term, was named an AP Scholar with Distinction and a National Latin Exam Gold Medalist, and received the Award for Excellence in Chemistry and the Award for Excellence in Asian History. He also serves as editor in chief of the Westminster News, and is a member of the John Hay Society, Black and Gold and the Debate Club. He serves as captain of First Boys’ Cross Country and participates in First Boys’ Squash. Outside of school, he serves as a tutor and squash volunteer for Squash Haven.

About 1.5 million juniors in some 22,000 high schools entered the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2009 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, which represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.