HPISD Seniors Recognized as National Merit Semifinalists

Eighteen seniors at Highland Park High School have been named Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

National Merit Semifinalists represent fewer than 1% of the country’s high school seniors. They are selected based on their scores on the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

About 95% of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship and earn the Merit Scholar title. Almost 7,000 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million will be offered next spring.

Merit Scholar designees are selected based on their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Highland Park High School’s National Merit Semifinalists are:

• Isabel Arnold
• Boone Bonfield
• Allison Boynton
• Whitney Gross
• Spencer Haag
• Tiffany Hsu
• Camille Huckaby
• Jordan Laurie
• Bradley Liang
• Rajan Luthra
• Mateo Meade
• Jacob Neilson
• Morgan Owen
• Rebecca Stanwood
• Allison Vandermosten
• Jason Zhang
• Ziling Zhou
• Henry Zhu

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Sarah Hodges

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Sarah Hodges is editor of People Newspapers. She wrote for The Kansas City Star, served in the Peace Corps, worked as a law firm associate, and spent more than a decade caring for her children as a stay-at-home parent prior to joining Park Cities People as managing editor in 2024. In her spare time, you can find her running, either around the neighborhood or to various kid activities.