Elie Bilmes is the only member of the Pomperaug High School Senior Class to be named a National Merit Semifinalist by the National Merit Scholarship Program.

According to their website, the National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) -- a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.3 million entrants each year -- and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.

In September 2005, about 16,000 students were notified that they qualified as Semifinalists in the 51st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. In February, about 90 percent of the Semifinalists will advance to the Finalist standing. In the Spring 2006, approximately half of the Finalists will be selected as Merit Scholarship winners, earning the Merit Scholar title.

"Elie Bilmes is an extraordinary young man," said Pomperaug High School counselor Carol Reilly. "His appetite for learning is unrelenting and his motivation eternal. He possesses an innate love of learning and his learning is the natural result of pursuing education in its purest form."

"Elie is multi-talented," Ms. Reilly continues. "He has developed an integrated lifestyle whereby he pursues interests outside of the classroom. Elie plays the Euphonium in the symphonic band, Jazz band, and is a member of the All-State Band. Presently, he is President of the symphonic band. Additionally, Elie has been captain of the tennis team for two years, and has made All-State and All-Conference for three years. He is an active member of his synagogue whereby he teaches classes and is involved with community service."

Jeremy Klemundt was also named a National Semifinalist because he was going to graduate high school in three years and is currently a junior at Pomperaug High School. Jeremy, according to his school counselor Karen Kutzner, has since changed his mind and will continue at PHS for another year and therefore cannot officially be a Semifinalist.

"Jeremy is very interested in art, band and symphonic band, and has often attended intensive art camps over the summer. He also excels academically," said Ms. Kutzner.

To become a Finalist, a Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout the high school years, be endorsed and recommended by the school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student's earlier qualifying test performance. The Semifinalist and a school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, which includes the student's self-descriptive essay and information about the Semifinalist's participation and leadership in school and community activities.