Shaker Heights Senior Benjamin Jamal Named $2,500 National Merit Scholarship Winner

Congratulations to Shaker Heights High School senior Benjamin Jamal, winner of a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship. Ben is one of nine public high school seniors in Cuyahoga County and one of 86 seniors in the state to receive the scholarship. The nation’s 2,500 Merit Scholar designees were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Students who receive the $2,500 National Merit Scholarship are among the National Merit Finalists in each state who possess the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Each scholar is selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors who evaluate information submitted by Finalists and their high schools, including academic record, scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), contributions in school and community activities, essays written by the Finalists and a recommendation by a high school official.