Josiah Johnson, a senior at Shaler Area High School, has been named one of 15,000 National Merit Scholarship Finalists.

As a finalist, Johnson is in the top 1 percent of the 1.5 million students entered in the competition. Students qualify for National Merit Scholarship Program recognition and scholarships through their Preliminary SAT scores in their junior year, and then they must complete an application for further consideration. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be chosen from the 15,000 Finalists based on their abilities, skills and accomplishments.

“I’m proud of it because it’s a reflection of how hard I’ve worked, through school and extracurricular activities, and I’m glad to know it’s paid off in the end,” Johnson said of the recognition.

Johnson is enrolled in five Advanced Placement courses at Shaler Area High School this school year and is involved in the school orchestra, indoor track team and cross country team. He part of this year’s musical as a member of the orchestra pit and is a member of the school’s Science Club and co-president of the National Honor Society.

“I’m very proud of Josiah and very proud of Shaler Area School District,” said Sylvia Johnson, Josiah’s mother. “From Burchfield to the Middle School and High School, I’ve seen all the changes and enhancements in academics and that is a reflection of the teachers, staff and administration. I’m proud to see Shaler Area moving forward and onward.”