Seven members of Staples High School’s senior class have qualified as semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship program after taking the 2020 PSAT exam. 

Emma Alcyone ’22, Natalie Bandura ’22, Zachary Bishop ’22, Michael Brody ’22, Chloe Nevas ’22, Maxwell Tanksley ’22 and Julian Weng ’22 all scored in the top 1% of Connecticut’s test takers.

​​“It is an extraordinary honor for these students to be recognized for their academic abilities,” Principal Stafford W. Thomas Jr. said, “and an honor for our school because each of these students demonstrate talents and passions beyond academics every day, making them wonderful representatives of the Westport Public Schools.”

The finalists for the scholarship will be announced in February followed by a winner selection of about 7,500 students nationwide. The award was given to two Staples seniors last year. 

“Winners are selected by a committee of college admission officers and high school counselors without consideration of family financial circumstances, college choice or major and career plans,” The National Merit Scholarship Corporation said. 

Semifinalist Chloe Nevas ’22 feels this accomplishment validated her many years of hard work in and out of school.

“It was super exciting when I found out I was a semifinalist because I wasn’t really expecting it at all,” Nevas said. “It was pleasing to see my hard work pay off even if I am not named a finalist.”