Christopher Petrik and Alec Slatky, both students at Massapequa High School, have been named as National Merit Semifinalists.

The announcement was made by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

About 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, were noted for this prestigious recognition. To ensure that academically able students from all parts of the United States are included in this talent pool, semifinalists are designated on a state representational basis, and are the highest scoring entrants in each state.

To be considered by the NMSC for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must advance to finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards, and having a record of consistently high academic performance in grades nine through 12 and in any classes taken for college credit, such as the Advanced Placement and SCALE courses offered by the district.