The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships
that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary
SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test–a test which serves as an initial screen of more than 1.5
million entrants each year–and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.

Of the 1.5 million entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT/NMSQT® Selection Index scores (critical
reading + mathematics + writing skills scores) qualify for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship
Program. In April following the fall test administration, high-scoring participants from every state
are invited to name two colleges or universities to which they would like to be referred by NMSC. In
September, these high scorers are notified through their schools that they have qualified as either a
Commended Student or Semifinalist.

Christa's nomination makes it two years in a row for a Sentinel to be a finalist. Justin Frye was a National Merit Scholarship winner for ECS last year.