Port Jefferson Trio Selected As National Merit Semifinalists

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — Earl L. Vandermeulen High School students Gani Ates, Grant Samara and Peggy Yin were selected as semifinalists in the annual National Merit Scholarship Program, according to a news release.

These three academically talented students have a chance to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Gani, Grant and Peggy must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition.

About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.