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Candland earns National Merit Semifinalist status

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Long Beach Breeze

Rebecca Candland of Long Beach has been named a National Merit Semifinalist in the 70th National Merit Scholarship (NMSC) Program.

Candland, senior at the Mississippi School for Math and Science (MSMS) who previously attended Long Beach High School, is among the one percent of high school students across the country to be recognized as National Merit Semifinalists. Of the 1.3 million students who entered the 2025 NMSC Program, only 16,000 were chosen as Semifinalists.

“We are so proud of Rebecca,” said MSMS Director for Academic Affairs Dr. Thomas. “Her hard work as a student over the last decade will improve her prospects for the future immeasurably.”

The academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.

Competition entrants had to take the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test as a junior.  In order to advance, Semifinalists and a high school official are required to submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the student’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. About ninety-five percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, with approximately half of the Finalists winning a National Merit Scholarship and earning the coveted “Merit Scholar” title.

Finalists will then compete for three kinds of scholarships: corporate-sponsored, college or university-sponsored and National Merit Scholarship Corporation awards. In addition to the honor and recognition that comes along with being named a National Merit Semifinalist or Finalist, the award can often be leveraged to secure additional scholarships to a variety of colleges or universities. Beginning next spring, NMSC will announce the National Merit Scholarship Finalists.