2 Heights High Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Two Cleveland Heights High students have been named National Merit Semifinalists.

This year, Maple Buescher and Xavier Routh both earned Semifinalist status. They will now have a chance to become National Merit Finalists, enabling them to compete for scholarships through the program.

"We are incredibly proud of Maple and Xavier for this tremendous accomplishment. Becoming a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist is no easy feat. I know that they will continue making Tiger Nation proud well beyond their time at Heights," Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby said.

More than 1.5 million students annually apply for National Merit Scholarships. When students take the PSAT they are automatically entered into the fray. Less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors become semifinalists.

Only 16,000 students earn National Merit Semifinalist distinctions annually. Semifinalists can become Finalists and compete for $30 million in scholarships.