Exeter, NH (February 24, 2009)—Twenty-two seniors from Phillips Exeter Academy have been named finalists in the 2009 National Merit Achievement Scholarship Program.

This year’s Merit Scholar winners are: Nicholas M. Adams of Pittsford, NY; Margaret B. Ayers of Portland, ME; Abigail C. Davies of Newburyport, MA; Max H. de La Bruyere of Alberta, Canada; Edward B. Elron of Charlottesville, VA; Shelly N. Horwitz of Lexington, MA; Paul S. Lee of Carmel, IN; Anne A. Leonard of Lattingtown, NY; Molly Z. Liu of Ann Arbor, MI; Katherine R. Long of Exeter, NH; Ariella Park of Columbus, OH; Erika A. Parks of Colorado City, CO; Alexander H. Pearlman of Granville, OH; Bhargavi R. Puppala of Houston, TX; Alden D. Quimby of Lee, NH; David B. Rush of Scarsdale, NY; Cecilia A. Sanchez of Denver, CO; Juliet M. Tempest of Oak Hill, VA; Arjun R. Venkatachalam of Exeter, NH; Jeanette J. Wat of Exeter, NH; Emma M. Watt of Durham, NH; and Andrew J. Weinstein of Hampton, NH.

Each February, approximately 90 percent of the semifinalists#more than 16,000 students—are notified of their standing in the 54th annual academic competition. Finalist candidates submit outstanding cumulative transcripts, SAT scores, principal recommendations and a reflective essay. The Merit Scholarship Program began in 1955. This year, it will award 8,200 National Merit Scholarships, with stipends of $2,500 each, totaling $35 million. Awards are given in the fall of each winner’s first year in college.

The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less-than-one percent of U.S. high school seniors, and includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. To initially qualify, 1.5-million high school juniors in more than 21,000 high schools submit PSAT scores, and must be enrolled full-time in a four-year high school and hold U.S. citizenship.

A complete list of upcoming events is available on the Phillips Exeter Academy public events line at (603) 777-4309 and on our website. For directions, call (603) 777-4330.