Mar. 18, 2024 -- Heights High School Seniors Niko Bell and Caleb Green have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships. Niko and Caleb qualified for the award because of their performances on the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test).

Currently, more than 1.3 million students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program each year. Only about 16,000 students were named semifinalists in the program this year, representing less than 1 percent of the nation’s high school graduating seniors.

“Being named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist is a tremendous achievement. I am so proud of Caleb and Niko and excited to see all that they continue to accomplish,” said Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby.

The selection of some 7,500 Merit Scholarship winners from the group of more than 15,000 finalists is now in progress. Starting in March, the program will begin notifying scholarship winners.

Seven Heights High seniors were named National Merit Scholars in the fall of 2023. Caleb and Niko were named Semifinalists in the first round of the competition. Natalie Bier, Laurel Buescher, Sean Egbert, Marcus Holland, and Mason Spieth were named National Merit Commended Students.