On September 10, officials from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) announced the names of more than 16,000 semifinalists in the 71st Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Among them were three NDP seniors: Henry Curran, Haley Rivard and George Sein. These academically talented high school seniors can continue to compete for the 6,870 National Merit Scholarships, worth nearly $26 million, offered next spring.

"All three of these students bring faith, leadership, and intelligence to our Catholic school community," said NDP Principal Brie Dragonetti. "They deserve this honor and have worked very hard to achieve academic success."

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

To be considered for a finalist award, our semifinalists will have to submit a detailed scholarship application and provide information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.

A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student's earlier performance on the qualifying test. From over 16,000 Semifinalists, more than 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February, they will be notified of this designation.

All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected based on their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, regardless of gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. 

"We are so proud of Henry, Haley and George," Principal Dragonetti said. "We pray that God will bless them with success as they move on in the competition." 

In addition to our three semifinalists, the National Merit Scholarship Corp also announced on September 16 that six more Saints were among the top 50,000 nationwide, earning the honor of National Merit Commended scholars. Our commended scholars are Ava Butaney, James Gianakakos, Kiera McNelis, Kate Smith, Reinaldo Velasques Robles and William Ward. 

More than three million students enter the competition each year. 

"The class of 2026 is filled with brilliant and highly motivated students," Dragonetti said. "Celebrating moments such as this is the highlight of being an educator."