Chosen based on the scores of their preliminary SAT (PSAT), 10 semi-finalists from LT have been chosen to compete for a National Merit Finalist position in April. It’s an outstanding achievement to be named a National Merit Semi-Finalist, as it is one of the top academic accomplishments or recognition a student can receive nationally, Principal Jennifer Tyrrell said. 

“It really does distinguish you from an academic standpoint from others in your grade,” Tyrrell said. “Here at LT, we’re really proud of the students who earned that recognition.”

Semi-finalist Anne Dillon ‘23 feels honored and proud to be given this title, she said. As part of the PSAT prep class offered at LT, she felt a certain pressure to do well, as she had devoted a lot of time preparing for the test.

“Being named a semi-finalist really confirmed all the hard work I had put in, plus it was awesome to look around at the other students who received it,” Dillon said.

To be named a semi-finalist, students must score at least a 1400 out of 1520 on the PSAT, have a recommendation letter from their principal, fill out an additional application, and maintain a competitive GPA (3.5 and above) throughout the school year. 

“For the application, it’s very similar to the Common App[lication], in which we list our activities, information, teacher recommendations and round it out with an essay,” Dillon said. “I have submitted my application, so now the hard part begins: waiting.”

The semi-finalists have made LT, as well as their families, proud, Tyrrell said. With their status, this recognition is the result of their hard work through their time at LT.

“It’s a great honor to be named as a National Merit Semi-Finalist and a great tribute to all the teachers and staff who have taught me at LT,”  Nicholas Lorenzen ‘23 said.

Tyrrell and College and Career Counselor Cody Dailey had the opportunity to meet with the semi-finalists, congratulate them, and share with them how proud LT was of their achievements, Tyrrell said. A press release was put out on the LT website, as well as many posts on social media to share to the community.

“I hope all of them are named finalists and see a lot of doors open for them because of this recognition,” Tyrrell said. “Oftentimes, when we talk to admission representatives at highly selective schools, they say that national level awards and recognition does set students apart from other really great applications.”

The National Merit Finalists will be announced in February of 2023. The finalists chosen will then move on to be considered for a Merit Scholarship beginning in March.

List of semi-finalists

Anne Dillon

Taylor Dudek

Andrew Elrod

Ella Happel

Nicholas Lorenzen

Peter Mikulski

Matthew Ozark

Josephone Powell

Joseph Wall

Anna Zierdt