HHS senior Abigail Fischer was named winner of a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship. Fischer is one of 2,500 winners nationwide, selected from a pool of more than 15,000 finalists who met the rigorous academic standards and other requirements. Less than 1 percent of high school seniors across the country were tabbed for consideration based on their score on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which serves as the initial screen of program entrants. From there, the list was whittled down by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who considered each student’s academic record, standardized test scores, contributions and leadership in school and community activities, an essay written by the applicant and a recommendation from a high school official.