Congratulations, National Merit Semifinalists!

Congratulations to Mercy McAuley seniors Lizzie Schloss and Lindsay Woodard, who have been named Semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit® Scholarship Program! Lizzie and Lindsay are among the over 16,000 Semifinalists across the country who now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring.

"We are incredibly proud of Lizzie and Lindsay for their tremendous academic achievement, and we can't wait to see what these bright and talented young women accomplish in college and in their careers," said Connie Kampschmidt, Principal, Mercy McAuley High School. "The National Merit Semifinalist honor reflects Mercy McAuley's commitment to providing students with innovative, challenging academics of the highest quality."

Lizzie and Lindsay entered the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of US high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

From the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. 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.

At Mercy McAuley, Lizzie is a Student Council Senator, a Student Ambassador, and a member of National Honor Society, Women Lead Medicine, Women Making History Club, Philanthropy Club, and Key Club. She is also captain of the softball team. Lizzie says she is considering chemical engineering as her major in college.

Lindsay is a member of National Honor Society, Women Lead Medicine, Philanthropy Club, Key Club, Women Making History Club, and is a Student Ambassador. She also plays basketball and softball. Lindsay plans to major in biology in college and also plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

Lizzie attended elementary school at St. James in White Oak. Lindsay attended elementary school at St. Ignatius in Monfort Heights.