Seniors Nico Bobis, Shayna Fitzershtein, Joshua Ku, Daniel Mathew, Alice Schleicher, David Schleicher, Rajan Shah, and Megan Tan are the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists, Principal Dr. Barbara Georges said. 

Students receive the award by taking the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and meeting or exceeding the state-issued index during their junior year, and meeting the program’s academic eligibility criteria, John Klasen, College and Career Counselor, said. Around 16,000 students are selected nationally, which is less than 1 percent of all high school seniors, Klasen said. 

“The National Merit semifinalist’s honor is going to be beneficial to these students to put down on college applications, “Klasen said. “Most of the students will eventually become National Merit Finalists.”

The mission of the National Merit Scholarship is to recognize and honor the academically talented students through promoting scholarship programs, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The district offers the optional pSAT to all students interested, Georges said.

“Being named a National Merit semifinalist places these students among a very small percentage of graduating seniors nationally, and that is an exceptional accomplishment,” Georges said. “It is also important to recognize the teachers, counselors, staff members, and families who have supported these students throughout their educational journey.”

To advance to the finalist position, students need to submit an application. The application includes an essay, maintaining high academic performance, receiving endorsement and a recommendation from their school’s principal, and submitting an ACT or SAT score that aligns with their prior PSAT performance, Georges said. There is also a portion of the application dedicated to activities, volunteer service, leadership positions, honors and awards, and employment, Georges said. 

“This achievement reflects years of hard work, intellectual curiosity, persistence, and a commitment to learning,” Georges said. “The recognition is definitely something our entire community should celebrate.”