Aitkin senior named a National Merit semifinalist
AITKIN - Michael Hansen, a senior at Aitkin High School, has been named a semifinalist in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program, it was announced Wednesday.
Hansen, the 18-year-old son of Jeff and Julie Hansen, is one of about 16,000 semifinalists named across the country. To be considered for a merit scholarship award in the spring, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of semifinalists advance to the finalist level, and half of those will be awarded a National Merit Scholarship, earning the title of a National Merit Scholar.
Michael Hansen
Hansen said he was glad he was named a semifinalist and is looking forward to seeing what advantages this will give him in the future. He said he plans to attend college but hasn't made a decision where or what he'll study, possibly something with computers.
Hansen is involved with Knowledge Bowl, one-act play, band, choir and handbell choir. He's also a Boy Scout and is close to becoming an Eagle Scout.
The number of semifinalists represent less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors. Semifinalists are the highest scoring entrants from each state who took 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.