Eight students who were named semifinalists in the fall of 1978 have advanced to the finalist standing in the 1979 Merit Scholarship competition. All eight students are seniors.

The 1979 Merit Scholarship finalists from Maine West are Susan Blessing, Salome Clayton, Michael Dsida, Stephen Hodges, Yvonne Pytlik, Susan Rieck, Vincent Schulz, and Douglass Strand.

This is the first time in the history of Maine West eight students were chosen as semifinalists, then advanced to the finalist competition.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation had a reviewing committee review the application. After the applications had been ranked, the semifinalists were informed if they advanced to the finals.

The names of all the finalists are sent to colleges all over the country so they may be offered scholarships. The finalists also stand to be chosen for the Corporation Scholarship Program. The program awards scholarships to finalists whose parents work for corporations involved with the program. The very best of all the finalists are chosen for the National Merit Scholarship Program.