A Gig Harbor High School student was named a National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalist, among only 16,000 other students nationwide. 

Eliana Dietrich, a senior at GHHS, is in a special group of students across the nation with the highest scores on the 2021 PSAT, a standardized test administered to high school juniors. 

“We are so proud of Eliana and her accomplishments. She’s an amazing young woman with a bright future ahead of her,” said Principal Michele Suiter.

According to the National Merit Scholarship Program, 95% of the semifinalists will be named finalists, and only 7,250 of those students will receive a scholarship. The total amount of money given from the scholarship program is estimated at $28 million. 

To become a finalist, Dietrich must be endorsed by their school principal, show a record of consistently high academic performance in grades 9 through 12, and earn similar scores on their SAT or ACT. 

The finalists are may receive three scholarships: 

• The National Merit $2,500 Scholarship; 
• The Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship Awards; and
• The College-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards.

Semifinalists who are not chosen as finalists may receive one of National Merit Program Special Scholarships, provided by corporations and business organizations.