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Two Wildcats become National Merit Scholarship finalists

ALPENA, Mich. — Two students have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists. The seniors were selected from a pool of $16-thousand semifinalists across the country.

Alpena High School seniors Clayton Donajkowski and Samuel Tuscher will continue in the competition to win thousands of merit scholarships worth more than $31-million dollars.

Schools have to submit detailed academic records and achievements in order for students to become finalists. The 64th annual National Merit Scholarship winner of 2019 will be announced this spring.

Principal Tom Berriman says he couldn’t be happier for his students.

“This is the first time that Alpena High School had a National Merit finalist since 2008, so it’s been a while. It just shows how good the senior class is,” said Berriman. “The class of 2019 is really doing a lot of special things both in the classroom and on the athletic field…but Sam and Clay are special, unique individuals. They are tremendously gifted in many areas.”