
Battlefield
High
School
senior
Ilene
Hong
is
a
2020
National
Merit
Northwestern
University
Scholarship
Program
finalist.
Hong
was
one
of
3,300
winners
of
National
Merit
Scholarships
sponsored
by
U.S.
colleges
and
universities.
Hong
entered
the
2020
National
Merit®
Scholarship
Program
by
taking
the
2018
SAT/National
Merit
Scholarship
Qualifying
Test
(PSAT/NMSQT®),
which
serves
as
an
initial
screening.
By
being
one
of
the
highest-scoring
entrants
in
the
state,
Hong
was
first
recognized
as
a
semifinalist;
semifinalists
make
up
less
than
one
percent
of
all
U.S.
high
school
seniors,
proving
Hong
is
an
exceptionally
talented
academic
student.
When
asked
about
her
academic
success
and
becoming
a
semifinalist,
Hong
recognized
her
high
school
teachers.
Hong
said,
"My
teachers
throughout
high
school
have
always
been
willing
to
help
and
provide
for
an
engaging
classroom
experience.
They
want
to
help
me
improve
and
expand
my
capabilities.
My
success
as
a
student
would
not
have
been
possible
without
the
support
of
my
teachers
and
the
love
for
learning
they
fostered
in
me."
She
also
attributed
credit
to
her
parents'
support,
saying,
"My
parents
have
been
with
me
every
step
of
the
way.
They
gave
me
endless
motivation
and
pushed
me
to
work
hard
both
inside
and
outside
of
school."
Hong
is
part
of
a
third
group
of
winners
announced
by
the
2020
National
Merit
Scholarship
Corporation
(NMSC).
All
college-sponsored
National
Merit
Scholarship
awards
range
from
$500
to
$2,000
per
year,
with
the
opportunity
to
renew
for
up
to
four
years
of
undergraduate
study
at
the
school
financing
the
scholarship.
Officials
from
Northwestern
University
selected
Hong
as
a
winner
from
among
the
finalists
in
the
2020
National
Merit
Scholarship
Program
who
list
Northwestern
as
their
first
choice
school
by
the
NMSC
published
deadline.
By
the
conclusion
of
this
year's
program,
she
will
be
one
of
approximately
7,600
Merit
Scholar
finalists
that
are
collectively
awarded
over
$30
million
in
college
scholarships.
Finalists
from
each
state
are
chosen
by
a
combination
of
academic
acumen,
potential
of
future
success
in
rigorous
college
courses,
as
well
as
demonstrated
leadership
and
contributions
in
their
schools
and
community
activities.
Hong
has
exemplified
leadership
through
her
contributions
to
the
school
community.
Hong
is
the
co-president
of
the
Science
National
Honor
Society,
and
co-president
of
the
Medical
Club.
Hong
plans
to
study
for
a
future
career
in
medicine.
The
National
Merit
Scholarship
Corporation
(NMSC),
a
not-for-profit
corporation,
was
founded
in
1955
to
conduct
the
National
Merit®
Scholarship
Program.
NMSC
offers
three
types
of
National
Merit®
Scholarships.
The
finalists
compete
for
one
of
2,500
National
Merit®
$2,500
Scholarships
that
are
awarded
on
a
state-representational
basis.
About
1,000
corporate-sponsored
scholarship
awards
are
provided
by
more
than
200
corporations
and
business
organizations
for
finalists
who
meet
their
specified
criteria,
and
another
4,100
college-sponsored
scholarships
are
provided
by
nearly
180
colleges
and
universities.
Learn
more
about
the
National
Merit®
Scholarship
Program.