The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has selected Rockdale County student Dylan Veneziano of Young American’s Christian School as a 2013 Certificate of Merit Finalist.

This distinction places Veneziano in a group of finalists representing less than 1 percent of U.S. high school graduating seniors. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $48 million that will be offered next spring.

Veneziano is awaiting application decisions to several colleges, including Yale, Duke and Dartmouth. He has already received acceptance letters from Emory University, Oxford and the University of Georgia’s honors college.

He is interested in studying business and corporate law, but definitely has an entrepreneurial spirit. His high PSAT score earned him this award, but his recent SAT scores are even better and have allowed him to compete for entrance to the college of his choice.

Veneziano is involved in student government and Beta club, but he particularly enjoys tutoring other students and mentoring through community involvement. He regularly volunteers his time to the Conyers-Rockdale Council for the Arts and served monthly for two years as a senior member of the Teen Court Program through the local District Attorney’s office.

Veneziano is pleased to have made it this far, which he credits to his goal-setting habits.

“I’m honored,” Veneziano said. “I’m thankful that the hours of studying paid off and for my family who encouraged me along the way.”

Veneziano’s parents said their son has always been a hard-working student.

His parents said he sets his standards high, has a great heart for community service and is eager and generous with his time to help others.

They said it was an honor for their son to be recognized at a national level and that they were very proud of his accomplishment.