Seven District 99 Students Named National Merit Finalists

Seven  students have been selected as finalists in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program. 

The program is an academic competition sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corp. Finalists are chosen based on test scores, an essay, their schools' curricula, recommendations from school officials and involvement in activities and leadership.

Of the 1.5 million entrants, 16,000 semifinalists were named in September. Fifteen thousand finalists were selected from that pool. Now, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation will select 8,400 students as merit scholarship winners.

“On behalf of all of my colleagues at District 99, I would like to congratulate these outstanding students on their achievements and recognition in this prestigious program,” said superintendent Dr. Mark McDonald, in a district release.

District 99's National Merit finalists:

• Audrey Eaton
• Samantha Fry
• Tony Grippando
• Erin Portman
• Kevin Scantlen

• Matthew Balsamo 
• Julianna Estall