EHS Trio Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

Three Eastchester High School seniors have joined an elite group of students from across the country, as Lucas Strauss-Govorun, Konstantinos Magnisalis and Zhuowen Zou were recently named Semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program.

The prestigious distinction recognizes some of the nation’s highest-achieving high school students and gives the trio an opportunity to advance to the Finalist level and compete for National Merit Scholarships later this school year.

EHS Principal Chris Welsh called the trio into his office on Friday morning to alert them to their semifinalist status, noting that the selection is a testament to their dedication and the effort they have put forth in the academic arena.

“The award is attached to a single test, but it’s really a reflection of their overall performance throughout their time in high school,” said Welsh. “They’re wonderful kids who contribute to the school in so many ways, and we’re just incredibly proud of them.”

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) was established in 1955 and has awarded more than 483,000 scholarships worth over $1.9 billion over the last 71 years.

Students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test during their junior year. Semifinalists are selected from the highest-scoring entrants in each state, with qualifying scores varying depending on the state. Approximately 16,000 students—less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors—earn Semifinalist status each year.

Typically, around 1,000 students from New York State are selected as semifinalists.

For the three EHS seniors, earning Semifinalist honors represents an impressive milestone, but their journey isn’t finished quite yet.

To advance to Finalist standing, Semifinalists must meet additional requirements, including maintaining a strong academic record, completing a detailed scholarship application and essay, earning the recommendation of a school official, and submitting an SAT or ACT score that confirms their PSAT/NMSQT performance.

Strauss-Govorun, Magnisalis and Zou will learn whether they have advanced to the next stage of the competition later this school year.

Congratulations to our National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists!