Cecilia Kye Tapped as National Merit Finalist

Huntington senior Cecilia Kye has been named a finalist in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship program. She is now among the ranks of an elite circle of United States seniors.

Ms. Kye has excelled across every academic discipline and has repeatedly been recognized with awards. The teenagers are among a select group of 15,000 academically high powered American seniors.

The Huntington scholar was presented with a certificate by high school Principal Brenden Cusack on behalf of the National Merit scholarship program. Beginning in March and concluding in July, about 7,250 finalists will be notified they have won a scholarship award.

“We are so proud of Cecilia for her academic achievement and for taking advantage of all that Huntington has to offer,” Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “As importantly, she has always represented our school community in the finest manner possible regardless of the specific pursuit. Earning finalist status in the National Merit Scholarship competition is no small feat and tribute to all she has accomplished. Congratulations to her and to her family … and this is only the beginning for her.”

Financial awards include $2,500 National Merit scholarships; corporate sponsored scholarships; college sponsored scholarships. The program is supported by more than 340 independent sponsors and the National Merit Scholarship Corp.’s own monies. About $28 million dollars is available this year.

“We are so very proud of Cecelia,” Mr. Cusack said. “She is an excellent student who works hard and is a true role model for others.  It is no surprise that she has performed this well on the NMSQT and we eagerly anticipate the final results of the competition.”

The National Merit scholarship program, which dates to 1955, provides recognition and scholarships for top students. About 16,000 seniors advanced to the semi-final round of the competition and another 34,000 students received letters of commendation.

“All National Merit scholarship winners will be selected from this group of finalists,” according to the organization. “Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin or religious preference.”

The 68th annual National Merit competition drew entries from more than one million teenagers attending about 22,000 high schools.