Five Jefferson High School seniors are semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship program, a national academic competition recognizing outstanding students based on their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in college. 

Edmund Gallia, Alexander Krotz, Duncan McDonald, Sarah Rash and Conor Sweeney are among the top high school seniors in the nation competing for prestigious merit scholarships.

More than 1.3 million students entered into the competition as juniors last year by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than one percent of high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring students in each state. 

Three types of scholarships are available including the National Merit $2,500 Scholarship, along with corporate- and college-sponsored awards. Finalists will be announced in February, and winners are announced throughout the spring.

Alyssa Jiang, Freya Nafziger and Sophie Ouellet earned National Merit Commended Student status, which recognizes students for outstanding academic promise.