Three FWCD Seniors Named National Merit Semifinalists

Seniors Joaquin Castro-Balbi, Izzy Gutierrez, and Michelle Pham were named National Merit Semifinalists. These outstanding seniors are among the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists announced nationally on Wednesday, September 15. They are three of the 1,339 Semifinalists named in the state of Texas.

They have the opportunity to continue on in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. From the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to move to the Finalist level in February 2022. Merit Scholar designees are selected based on their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.