Wylie ISD is proud to announce two high school seniors were recently recognized as 2023 National Merit Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP). Only 16,000 high school seniors nationwide received the prestigious finalist designation. Wylie High School's Ronald Smitheart and Wylie East High School’s Robert Price will continue in the competition and be considered for some 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $28 million.

Wylie High School

Ronald Smitheart (Groves Elementary, Smith Elementary, Davis Intermediate, McMillan Junior High)

Wylie East High School  

Robert Price (Cox Elementary, Harrison Intermediate, Burnett Junior High)

NMSP is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships, and approximately 1.6 million high school students enter the program each year. Students are entered into the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which typically occurs in the fall of their junior year. The preliminary test serves as an initial screen of program entrants. NMSC uses the PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index scores to determine the 50,000 high-scoring participants who qualify for program recognition. Of those 50,000, approximately 16,000 students are named semifinalists.

To become a finalist, semifinalists and their high schools must submit a detailed scholarship application in which they provide information about the semifinalist's academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstration of leadership abilities and honors, and awards received. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn SAT scores that confirm the student's performance.

Congratulations, Ronald and Robert!