Three RSD Students Achieve National Merit Semifinalist Status

We are thrilled to announce that three of its outstanding high school students have been named as National Merit Semifinalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Luke Berglin and John “Calder” Orrel from Hanford High School and Sahir Tandon from Richland High School earned the recognition by being in the top 1% of students nationwide who took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

All three students have an aptitude for math and science, each claiming Calculus III as their favorite class. Their future interests vary from engineering to computer science to physics.

To become National Merit Finalists and potentially receive National Merit Scholarships, these students will now complete a comprehensive scholarship application, including writing an essay, providing detailed information about their academic records, extracurricular activities, and community involvement, and obtaining recommendations from a school official. National Merit Finalists will be announced in the spring of 2024.

The district also had four commended scholars recognized. Commended Students show an exceptional academic promise which is demonstrated by their outstanding performance on the PSAT. These students include Katherine Cooper from Hanford High School; Benjamin Bowen and Abigail Trappett from Richland High School; and Rebecca Boyd from Pacific Crest Online Academy (previously having attended Richland High).