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Merit Scholarship Semifinalists Touted

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 11, 2008

TAMPA - Hillsborough County public schools produced more National Merit Scholarship semifinalists than any other school system in Florida, the school district announced Wednesday.

Sixty-four Hillsborough students won the semifinalist distinction, a 23 percent increase over last year's total of 52.

The Miami-Dade County school system, the state's largest, produced 62 semifinalists. Broward County schools were third in the state, with 59.

"I am so proud of our high schools, not only for having the most public school National Merit semifinalists, but also for tripling the number of 'A' grades they received from the state this year. They have met and exceeded my expectations," Hillsborough schools Superintendent MaryEllen Elia said.

Among individual schools, Hillsborough High had 20 semifinalists, the third most of any public school in the state. Sarasota County's Pine View School, an academy for gifted students, led the state with 25, followed by Alachua County's Eastside High with 21.

King High produced 14 semifinalists, and Plant High had six.

About 1.5 million students participate in the National Merit Scholarship program each year, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corp.

Students gain semifinalist status by earning high scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, usually early in their high school careers. To move on to the level of finalist, which makes students eligible for scholarships, students must continue to meet high academic standards.

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