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-Information courtesy Oxford Preparatory School
Oxford Preparatory Upper School Director Victoria Bradsher proudly announces that senior Emily Iannuzzi is one of less than 400 North Carolina students to be named a semifinalist in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Competition.
Emily, daughter of Chris and Marisol Iannuzzi, has been named a semifinalist for the Class of 2020. Emily has attended Oxford Preparatory School since 2014 when she enrolled as an 8th grader. Currently a senior, Emily has pursued a highly rigorous course of study including accruing more than 24 college credit hours through AP exams and CCP courses.
She is also a talented artist, chef and key member of the OPS Equestrian team. Emily loves her horses and has been the recipient of a number of awards at the state and national level.
Emily Iannuzzi is pictured center with her parents, OPS Director Bradsher and OPS Executive Director Andrew Swanner. (OPS photo)
Approximately 1.6 million juniors around the United States took the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) last year. Fewer than 400 students were named semifinalists in North Carolina. These semifinalists represent the highest-scoring entrants in the state.
The number of semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors. The semifinalists now have the opportunity to compete for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered next spring.
The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements.
To become a finalist, the semifinalist and his or her school must submit a detailed application in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment and honors and awards received.
A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed by and recommended by a school official, write an essay and earn qualifying SAT scores.