Every year 15,000 semifinalists advance to the finalist level to compete for National Merit Scholarships. Among the Lafayette finalists are seniors  Michael Brown, Christian Followell, Amanda Miller, Christina Schmidt, Matthew Thoelke and Mitchell Von Hoffmann.

Von Hoffmann said,  “When I found out what score I got later that year, I figured out that would place me in a position to become a National Merit Finalist.”

Students who qualify as finalists receive up to $2,000 in scholarship money, but students also enjoy having the title of a finalist.

“The scholarship is a big part of being a finalist, but also the distinction that comes along with it can be just as important,” Hoffmann said.

In order to qualify, students must be recommended by a school official, earn a score on the SAT that confirms their test performance and have outstanding academics.

Finalist Christina Schmidt agrees. “Although the scholarships are nice, there are other benefits to just having the title.”