Plano ISD Celebrates Selection of 115 National Merit Semifinalists

September 15, 2006

Dr. Doug Otto, superintendent of the Plano Independent School District, announced today that 115 senior students, the largest
number in the district’s history, were named Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

These Plano ISD students join approximately 16,000 students from across the country as Semifinalists in the 52nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. As academically talented high school seniors, they now have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards worth $33 million.

More than 1.4 million juniors in nearly 21,000 high schools entered the 2007 National Merit Program by taking the 2005 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants.

The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, which represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.

Dr. Otto stated, “This program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college programs. We are thrilled to have so many Plano ISD students achieve Semifinalist status. The district congratulates each of these scholastic champions and salutes them for their achievement of academic excellence.”

Dr. Otto also said, “Today’s announcement is truly a reason to celebrate in PISD. This is the largest number of Semifinalists in our district’s history. This is another measure that shows that the work of our students, teachers, parents and educational programs is a successful combination that enables our students to excel at high levels.

“This significant amount of National Merit recognition will continue to create a major awareness among the colleges and universities of our students and of the high caliber of academic programs offered in PISD,” he added.

Congratulations,
2006-07 National Merit Semifinalists!

Plano East Senior High School

Plano Senior High School

Plano West Senior High School

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship, Semifinalists must advance to the Finalist level of the competition by fulfilling several requirements. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will be selected as Merit Scholarship winners, earning the Merit Scholar title. The Finalists will be announced in the spring.

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