51 Westlake High School students have been named National Merit Semifinalists for the 2019-20 school year, breaking Westlake’s 2010 record of 47 students, according to a press release from Eanes ISD. EISD stated that nationwide, semifinalists represent less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors. Those recognized as semifinalists will now be considered as potential recipients of one of 7,600 National Merit Scholarships. “Since I have been with many of these students for seven years at Westlake and West Ridge Middle School, I am particularly proud of their accomplishments,” Westlake High School Principal Steve Ramsey said, adding that he is also appreciative of the staff members who have made an impact on their students. 61 Westlake students also placed among the top 50,000 out of 1.6 million students taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, or PSAT, in 2018. These 61 students were honored as Commended Scholars. Semifinalists will now advance to the final level of the merit competition. Finalists will be announced February 2020.