Shreveport Students Shine as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
In Shreveport, Louisiana, excitement is in the air as two remarkable high school seniors from Loyola College Prep have achieved a significant milestone. Fritze Olsan and Mark Henry have been named Semifinalists in the prestigious 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. This is a fantastic accomplishment that places them among an elite group of high achievers across the nation!
A Closer Look at the National Merit Scholarship Program
Each year, the National Merit Scholarship Program selects outstanding students based on their academic achievements and test scores. For the current competition, more than 1.3 million high school juniors participated, all taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Out of this large group, only about 16,000 have been selected as Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of seniors in high schools across the United States. The competition is fierce, but Fritze and Mark have stood out with their stellar performance!
What’s Next for Fritze and Mark?
Now that Fritze and Mark have achieved Semifinalist status, they have the opportunity to advance further in the competition. To become Finalists, they must complete a detailed scholarship application that includes their academic records, participation in extracurricular activities, leadership experiences, and any awards they have received. It’s a comprehensive process, but it’s a chance for them to showcase all of their hard work during their high school years.
On the road to becoming Finalists, they will need to provide evidence of their potential, including strong SAT or ACT scores that confirm their prior academic performance. The good news is that approximately 95 percent of Semifinalists are predicted to reach Finalist status, which means they could soon find themselves in the running for one of the 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth around $26 million. That’s a significant opportunity for students who excel academically!
Loyola College Prep Celebrates Their Achievements
Loyola College Prep’s principal, John LeBlanc, expressed his immense pride in Fritze and Mark, saying, “Fritze and Mark are two students who excel at all they do academically, in their involvement at Loyola, in their faith, and in the community at large.” This sentiment is shared by everyone at the school who have played a role in guiding these young achievers. The support from parents, teachers, and counselors is invaluable in reaching such impressive milestones.
The Road Ahead
The National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced in four news releases beginning in April 2025 and concluding in July 2025. The competition includes three types of scholarships: the National Merit® $2500 Scholarships awarded on a state-representational basis, corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships from approximately 130 corporations, and college-sponsored Merit Scholarships financed by around 150 colleges and universities. This diversified scholarship landscape provides various avenues for achieving the coveted title of Merit Scholar.
A Legacy of Excellence
Should Fritze and Mark continue to shine and become finalists, they will join the ranks of more than 382,000 other talented young individuals who have earned the Merit Scholar designation since the program began. This recognition not only honors their academic prowess but also highlights their potential for success in college and beyond.
As the countdown continues to the announcement of finalists and scholarship winners, we extend our hearty congratulations to Fritze, Mark, and all the Semifinalists across the country. Their hard work and dedication are truly inspiring, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for these bright stars!
