Published 6:14 am Saturday, September 13, 2025
By Ben Bullard
An Athens High School senior is among the small cohort of students nationwide to earn the academic distinction of being a National Merit Semifinalist.
Athens senior Emerson Powless was named to this year’s nationwide list of National Merit Semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program, based on his performance during his junior year on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
Qualifying high school seniors are informed each September of making the short Semifinalist list, which includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state and represents less than one percent of all high school seniors nationwide. As a next step, he’ll have the opportunity to continue in the competitive process for one of 6,870 National Merit Scholarships, in total worth nearly $26 million.
To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Emerson must fulfill a number requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. He will now submit a detailed scholarship application that includes his academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, honors, awards, essay, and an endorsement from Athens High School.
Approximately 95 percent of National Merit Semifinalists are expected to obtain Finalist standing, with the names of the Finalists to be announced in February of next year. Of that number, approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, in the process earning the title of National Merit Scholar.
