Hopkins Student Named as Achievement Scholarship Semifinalist

Hopkins High School student Allegra Wallingford is one of 1,600 black high school seniors who have been designated semifinalists in the 50th annual National Achievement Scholarship Program, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced Wednesday.

The recognition puts him in the running for one of 800 Achievement Scholarship awards worth about $2.5 million that will be awarded in the spring.

The National Achievement Scholarship Program started in 1964 to recognize academically promising black students across the country and to provide scholarships.

More than 160,000 high school juniors across the country requested consideration when they took the 2012 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The highest-scoring program entrants in the states that make up each region are designated as semifinalists.

To advance into the finals, a semifinalist and his or her high school must submit a scholarship application with details about the student’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment and honors and awards received. The student must be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn SAT scores that confirm their PSAT/NMSQT performance.

About 1,300 students will be announced as finalists in January.

Other news your should know about today:

• More ramp closures coming: The westbound Interstate 394 ramp to Plymouth Road will close at 9 p.m. Thursday as part of a roadway project to improve the flow of traffic on westbound I-394. The ramp will re-open at 6 a.m. Friday.