Andrew Sante, a senior here at Liberty, has a chance to be part of 7,500 seniors nationwide to win a part of $31 million in scholarships.

The semifinalists are among 16,000 academically talented U.S. high school seniors (less than 1% of all high school seniors) who now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for over 7,500 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $31 million, that will be awarded next spring.

To even qualify for the program, students have to score a certain number on the PSAT their junior year. Students are then chosen on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. 

“We are exceptionally proud of these students who have been named semifinalists in the Merit Scholarship Program,” WSD Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain said. “Their accomplishments will certainly broaden their opportunities, and I commend them for their hard work as well as our outstanding educators who have supported them along their educational journey towards success.”

Sante has a GPA of 4.43 and scored a 32 on the ACT. Ranked fourth in his class, he earned the title of AP Scholar with Distinction. He has been active in the French Club throughout high school. 

He plans to major in mathematics and hopes to attend the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

When he found out he won, Sante’s initial reaction was “at first all I thought was, ‘oh cool,’ and then once I realized that I was the only student from Liberty it made me feel better.”

He now waits to see if he will become a finalist.

“Statistically I have a 95% chance of being a finalist, so my chances are pretty high.”

Sante explained the application process that you need to be a senior, go on their website, and write an essay about a person or an event that had a significant impact on yourself.

Sante was asked if there is a teacher that knew him pretty well.

“Mrs. Farrelly and I are homies,” he said. 

Sante has had a good overall experience at Liberty.

“I kinda come here do my thing, go home, and get my grade. LHS is a good school, there wasn’t a teacher I dislike and I had learned a lot.”

One of those teachers who made an impact on Sante was French teacher Madame Farrelly. 

“Andrew is very smart and fun and true to who he really is,” Farrelly said. “He’s witty, entertaining, gifted, and not afraid to be himself. It wouldn’t hurt to have more Andrews around.”