The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) in Evanston, Illinois has named Thomas Waite, senior at Cedar Springs High School, as one of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 58th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring.

The competition includes an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, listed honors and awards, write an essay, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

Congratulations to Thomas on qualifying as a Semifinalist and best of luck in the Finals. National Merit Scholarship Finalists will be announced in February. The 2013 scholarship winners will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July.