Seniors Joseph Rotella and Rory Erlich were named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program this week. The nationwide pool of semifinalists represent less than one percent of the 1.5 million high school juniors who took a PSAT qualifying test. Joseph and Rory were among the highest-scoring entrants from Pennsylvania.

More than 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and about half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. Those awards, based on a student’s skills, accomplishments and potential for success in college, will be announced between April and July, 2020.

J.R. Neiswender, AFS Director of College Guidance, announced the news in the Upper School’s morning assembly on Thursday. Congratulations, friends, and best of luck!