3 students qualify as Merit Scholars on their PSATs

Newport-Mesa is quickly filling in a large portion of the top 1% of preliminary SAT scorers as Corona del Mar High School announced three National Merit finalists Tuesday.

Alireza Nazemi, Elena Redelsheimer and Evan Zepfel posted scores to qualify them as top-15,000 seniors in the U.S. based on the PSAT scores.

The top 1% of PSAT scorers qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program based on the student’s sophomore or junior year test, according to the National Merit Program.

Of those students, about one-third are chosen as semifinalists.

Of the 15,000 students, 8,200 will win $2,500 scholarships based on student activities, leadership and an essay, the program’s website states.

Sage Hill High School previously announced seven students qualified for the program.

— Daniel Tedford