Mercer Island High School seniors Annika Bhananaker, Nathanael Cadicamo, Caden Gradek, Jacob Grosof, Wesley Ho, William Spencer, Kevin Wang, Shoko Wichman and Emily Yang have advanced as finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

They were nine of the 16,000 semifinalists named in September 2020 and have met all requirements to advance in the competition. They will be considered for National Merit Scholarship awards to be offered in 2021.

To become a finalist, the semifinalist and his or her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official and write an essay.