Photographer: Courtesy

Six students of the Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami, chosen as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, pose with school officials. At left is assistant principal Ramon Nicosia, with principal Jose E. Roca at the right.

MIAMI | Eleven seniors at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School have been named Commended Students by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, and six have advanced to the semifinals.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition that began in 1955. Approximately 1.6 million entrants compete each year for some 7,600 scholarships.

Belen Jesuit's semifinalists for the 2020 competition are Stephen A. Brennan, Matthew J. Bryan, Tomas De La Huerta, Rafael Queiroz, Esteban S. Rincon and Michael Ruiz.

“These students are leaders in their class,” said principal Jose E. Roca, himself a 1984 graduate of the school. “Their dedication to their academics and community exemplify our motto of being men for others.”

The other five students who earned National Merit commendations are Domingo A. Cortinez, Christopher A. Krause, Alfredo I. Melgar, Nicolas J. Poveda and Juan M. Ulloa.

The National Merit scholarships, worth more than $31 million, will be offered next spring.

Photographer: Courtesy

Five students of the Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami, chosen as National Merit Commended Students, pose with school officials. At left is assistant principal Ramon Nicosia, with principal Jose E. Roca at the right.