Richard Chen, Mason Gallo and Jenny Guo, currently seniors at East Lyme High School, are three of approximately 16,000 students who have met all requirements to advance to finalist standing in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships that will be offered this spring.

These students entered the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2020 PSAT/NMSQ Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, a finalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. Finalists also must participate in school and community activities, demonstrate leadership abilities, as well as employment and honors and awards received.

Friends & Neighbors is a regular feature. To contribute, email times@theday.com.