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Wantagh Senior Selected As National Merit Semifinalist

Wantagh High School senior Natasha Meagher was named a 2023 National Merit semifinalist for her outstanding academic achievements.

Natasha was one of approximately 16,000 students nationwide to be named a semifinalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. She continues on in the competition for 7,250 National Merit scholarships, collectively worth $28 million, that will be awarded next spring.

Students entered the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program during their junior year by taking the 2021 PSAT. The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than 1 percent of high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

Natasha’s high score on the PSAT reflects her commitment to academics. During her time at Wantagh High School, she has taken 12 Advanced Placement courses. She is also a member of the Science Olympiad and Mathletes teams, was selected to the National, English and Science honor societies and plays the alto saxophone in the jazz band.

After high school, Natasha wants to explore STEM-related fields, possibly majoring in chemical engineering in college. She received news of her semifinalist designation by Principal Dr. Paul Guzzone during a recent math class.

“I’m kind of shocked, but very excited,” she said. “I’m really happy and hoping become a finalist and to get one of the scholarships.”

Photo caption: Natasha Meagher, a senior at Wantagh High School, has earned semifinalist
status in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship program.

Photo courtesy of the Wantagh School District

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