Students are entered into the National Merit Scholarship Competition based on their PSAT scores in their junior year. Avery is in the top 1% of students in Idaho. She now continues in the competition to advance to National Merit Finalist and the chance to compete for a Scholarship.
In September, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
 
Caldwell High School's Avery Hawkins was among Idaho's semifinalists.
 
These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.

Over 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half
of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.