In early September, three Rider seniors were notified that they were National Merit Semifinalists because of their scores on the PSAT.

Seniors Blake Leiker, Kayla Holcomb and Aaron Johnson earned the status. Their scores put them at the top 1% of students in the nation.

To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, Semifinalists must advance to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and all other requirements explained in the information provided to each Semifinalist.

In February, 15,000 Semifinalists will be notified that they have advanced to Finalist standing. Senior Aaron Johnson moved before the awards were announced.

The road to National Merit starts early with multiple PSAT practices for most students earning the honor.

“I started out with a 184 my sophomore year,” Holcomb said. “I went to the Kramers’ class, which you have to be invited to, and I did that during the summer. It really got me prepared. I got a 223 on my PSAT junior year.”

Leiker says he also improved drastically on his score in large part because of the Kramers’ class.

“My sophomore year I had a 190, and then the next time I took it, I made a 227,” Leiker said. “Having the Kramers here was so great because they taught me so many strategies to use on the test. They used past tests and went over the questions, and if we would get it wrong they would show us a different way to do it that would help us on the test.”

However, Leiker said he was always a strong test taker.

“I never needed to study,” Leiker said. “I’ve always been naturally good at science and math. I didn’t like math in elementary school or junior high. In high school you really find out who gets it and who doesn’t, and it just clicked for me.”

Now the semifinalists are looking forward to the next stage of the National Merit journey.

“Semifinalist is a big honor, but I am really wanting the Finalist title,” Holcomb said. “They look at everything about you: your activities, every grade you have made in high school. It’s very hard to become a National Merit.”

High school principals are notified and provided with a certificate to present to each Finalist. Depending on the college they choose, some Semifinalists and Finalists can get their school completely paid for.

The semifinalists have to write an essay as part of their application.

“I wrote about playing my viola,” Holcomb said. “It’s moments I could describe very easily. It’s a big part of my life.”

Leiker is in band and last year had the opportunity to go to London, England. He wrote about his experiences from when he was there.

“There is so much history there,” Leiker said. “We saw the Tower of London, where so many were executed, and the different culture. It’s one thing to read it in books, but to actually see it was very cool.”

All winners of Merit Scholarship awards are chosen from the Finalist group, based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

Holcomb’s National Merit status has already paid off. She earned a full ride scholarship to Abilene Christian University, the school she’s always wanted to attend.

“I worked really hard,” Holcomb said. “So much practice and studying, but in the end, it was so worth it.”