Out of the 16,000 semifinalists in the annual National Merit Scholarship Program, only one is from Warwick.

Sydney Randall, a senior at Toll Gate High School said she was “very surprised,” when called to the principal’s office last week and was told that she was a semifinalist.

“I was just mostly impressed that I was the only one in Warwick,” she said.

Randall said that those who took the PSATs last January and earned at least a 1,400 on the math and reading sections were commended. She said that about 50,000 students across the country fell into that category.

From that pool the semifinalists were picked.

Randall said she only earned a score of 1,400 between math and reading which is the minimum amount needed to qualify.

Out of the 16,000 semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The finalists are expected to be announced in February.

It doesn’t stop there. Out of the 15,000 finalists about half will have the chance to win a National Merit Scholarship.

“These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million that will be offered next spring,” the organization stated.

Additionally, some colleges and some businesses offer students who make the semifinals or finals scholarship money.

Recognition, or potential scholarship money wasn’t something Randall was going for when she took the test. Instead, she was simply looking to practice for the SAT test. Because of COVID-19 Randall, her classmates, and students across the state weren’t able to take the PSAT during the spring of their sophomore year when they normally do, and instead took it junior year.

“It’s really exciting to put on the college applications and to have something else, because I didn’t expect to get anything out of the test,” she said.

Outside of academics, Randall participates in a number of different activities including being on the math team coached by her father Keith, who is a math teacher at Toll Gate.

She said her favorite activity, however, is being part of the jazz band for the school.

“That’s my favorite activity, most of my time is spent doing band,” Randall said.

In fifth grade she started playing the flute, eventually joining the jazz band when she got to Winman Middle School. Her sophomore year of high school she started playing the baritone saxophone. She also plays the guitar and piano.

Randall is involved with dance outside of school and is the team manager for the Toll Gate Girls Soccer team. Her sister Hailey, is a junior on the soccer team and her father is an assistant coach. As her mother Jennifer put it, it’s a family affair since she helps with the scoreboard during their home games.

“I like being on the sideline with all of the players and coaches,” Randall said.

While she hasn’t decided on a college yet, she said that she wants to pursue a degree in music business. One of her top choices right now is Northeastern University.

Her parents who have written their fair share of college recommendation letters during their careers in education will now be helping their daughter navigate the college application process.

“It’s a great process and I’m excited to go through it with her,” her mother said.

While there are still a lot of things up in the air for Randall, she knows she wants to continue to play instruments while in college.

“I would really want to continue that even if I don’t play professionally,” she said.