St. Mary Catholic Schools is proud to announce an SMCHS Senior is among this year’s list of  National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists. Shruti Chakrapani, daughter of Subha Nair and Chakrapani Ray, began the rigorous qualification process in her junior year by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQRT).

As a Semifinalist, Chakrapani’s score ranks in the top one percent of more than 1.4 million students who took the PSAT last year. “We are extremely proud of Shruti Chakrapani’s recognition as a semifinalist in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program,” SMCHS Principal Patti Fouts said. “This level of recognition is a testament to her dedication and pursuit of academic excellence.”

Honorees who are then further honored as National Merit Scholar Finalists in spring 2023 are eligible for associated scholarships worth thousands of dollars. Finalists are selected based on SAT score, excellent academic record, community service, leadership abilities, and recommendations from a high school official.

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program and honor the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.