Seven Maine Students Win National Scholarship Based on Academic Merit

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced today the awarding of $2,500 scholarships to 2,500 high school seniors nationwide, including seven from Maine, as part of the prestigious 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program.

These students were chosen from a competitive pool of over 15,000 finalists based on their academic achievements, standardized test scores, leadership experience, essays, and school recommendations. Selections were made by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, ensuring that the winners exemplify the strongest combination of accomplishments and potential for success in challenging college studies.

The Maine recipients are Wesley N. Haynes from Brunswick, Henry H. McDevitt from Camden, Trevor Oakley and Theresa Straw both from Cape Elizabeth, Alex J. Li from Falmouth, Max H. Cheng from Winthrop, and Sebastien Miguel Martinez from Yarmouth. These scholars are set to pursue diverse fields ranging from science and research to aerospace engineering.

This recognition starts with a competitive process that began when these students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) as juniors in October 2022. Those who scored highest were named semifinalists, and by meeting further academic and extracurricular standards, they advanced to the finalist stage.

The NMSC, a non-profit organization that has been recognizing academic talent without government assistance since 1955, aims to encourage academic excellence across all levels of education. This round of scholarships is part of a broader effort that will eventually distribute nearly $26 million to more than 6,870 deserving students by the end of the competition.

Further announcements of corporate-sponsored and college-sponsored scholarship winners are set for June and July, as part of NMSC’s commitment to supporting the educational achievements of America’s youth.