Three T.C. Williams Seniors Named National Achievement Scholarship Semifinalists

Three T.C. Williams High School seniors are among more than 1,600 Semifinalists in the 48th annual National Achievement Scholarship Program. Dexter C. Austin, Aduragbemi G. Jibodu and Saara K. Kaudeyr now have an opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 800 Achievement Scholarship awards worth more than $2.4 million to be offered next spring. Officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names today.

"I'm proud of these diligent students for attaining this notable recognition," said Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Morton Sherman. "I am confident that their many outstanding accomplishments will help them achieve Finalist status in this esteemed program."

When applying for the program, students listed their prospective majors. Austin plans to major in premedicine/premedical studies, Jibodu plans to major in aerospace, aeronautical and space engineering and Kaudeyr is undecided.

The National Achievement Scholarship Program, conducted by NMSC, is a privately financed academic competition that operates without government assistance. It was initiated in 1964 to recognize academically promising black students throughout the nation and to provide scholarships to a substantial number of the most outstanding program participants. To date, more than 31,100 young men and women have received Achievement Scholarship awards worth more than $98 million.

To be considered for a National Achievement Scholarship, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 80 percent of Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and more than half of the Finalists will win an Achievement Scholarship award. More than 160,000 high school juniors from all parts of the United States requested consideration in the 2012 National Achievement Scholarship Program when they took the 2010 Preliminary sat/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Semifinalists are designated within geographic regions and are the highest scoring program entrants in the states that make up each region.

To advance to the Finalist level in the competition, a Semifinalist must present a record of high academic performance throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, write an essay and earn SAT scores that confirm their PSAT/NMSQT performance. In addition, the Semifinalist and a high school official must complete a detailed scholarship application in which they provide information about the student's participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities and educational goals.

From the approximately 1,600 Semifinalists, about 1,300 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in January they will be notified of this designation. All Achievement Scholar awardees will be selected from the Finalist group on the basis of their abilities, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

National Achievement Scholarships provided in 2012 will be supported by corporations, professional organizations, foundations and by NMSC'S own funds. Two types of scholarships will be offered. Every Finalist will compete for one of the 700 one-time National Achievement $2,500 Scholarships, which will be awarded on a regional representation basis. In addition, corporate and business sponsors will underwrite about 100 Achievement Scholarship awards for Finalists who meet criteria set by the grantor. Although some corporate-sponsored awards provide a single payment, most are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study. NMSC will release the names of scholarship winners to news media in early April.

For more information about the competition, please visit NMSC's website at www.nationalmerit.org.