Senior Cecilia Kye Named National Merit Semifinalist

Huntington High School senior Cecilia Kye has been named a National Merit scholarship semifinalist, placing her among the top 16,000 members nationwide of the Class of 20223.

“Cecilia is a wonderful student who truly represents the very brightest in Huntington,” Huntington Principal Brenden Cusack said. “She challenges herself in every way possible and has excelled throughout her career in Huntington thus far. We are so very proud of her and I wish Cecilia the best of luck in the next stages of the competition.”

The 68th annual National Merit competition drew entries from more than one million teenagers attending about 22,000 high schools. The students “entered the 2023 National Merit program by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants,” according to the National Merit website. “The nationwide pool of semi-finalists, which represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.”

“I am surprised and honored to have been selected as a semifinalist,” Ms. Kye said. “As always, I’m grateful to the teachers and staff at Huntington for all they’ve done to support me throughout my academic career.”

To advance to finalist status a student and school officials must submit a detailed scholarship application, including information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities and honors and awards received.

Ms. Kye is the alto sax section leader and woodwind captain of the Blue Devil marching band. She has served as the Environmental Club’s recording secretary, vice president of the Art Honor Society, president of the Math Honor Society and treasurer of both the National Honor Society and high school band.

Since beginning high school, Ms. Kye has participated at one time or another in the Key Club, jazz band, wind ensemble, pit orchestra, women’s empowerment club, Drum Major Academy, Port Washington summer band, robotics, seven separate academic honor societies, Habitat for Humanity and various other initiatives, including capturing third place in her category for her National History Day competition group exhibit.

“We are so proud of Cecilia for the work that she has put in through the years and congratulate her on this outstanding achievement, as the National Merit Scholarship is among the most prestigious that a graduating senior can attain,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “We know that her success will continue through her senior year and into post-secondary academia and beyond!”