Seniors Named Semifinalists in the 72nd Annual National Merit Scholarship Program
St. Johnsbury Academy seniors Phoebe Donn of East Burke, Leo Kantrowitz of Peacham, Manny Fliegelman of East Hardwick, Nico Borden of Littleton, NH, and Jonah Raser, Archer Beth, and Ellie Reed of St. Johnsbury have been recognized as semifinalists in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. SJA is one of only 12 of Vermont’s 82 high schools to have students recognized as semifinalists, and SJA’s seven students represent the highest total number from any one high school, and 27% of the total number of students to earn the honor statewide.
Headmaster Dr. Sharon Howell said, “This year’s group of semifinalists are being honored as exceptional scholars, but they are also each involved in the life of St. Johnsbury Academy in multiple ways, from being stars in soccer, basketball or cross-country to editing the school newspaper to playing concert piano. They are members of our community who take advantage of all we have to offer, and offer us so much in return, including academic achievements such as these.”
More than 1.2 million juniors participated in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Of those students, about 16,000, roughly one percent of the total, are named semifinalists, and about 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level. 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.
Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2027. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships. About 700 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 120 corporations and business organizations for finalists who meet their specified criteria. In addition, about 140 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 3,500 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for finalists who will attend the sponsoring institution.
National Merit Scholarship winners of 2027 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. These scholarship recipients will join more than 395,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.
Caption: (l-r) Archer Beth, Phoebe Donn, Leo Kantrowitz, Jonah Raser, Manny Fliegelman, Ellie Reed, Nico Borden.
