Two Hanford High Students Named National Merit Semifinalists for 2025

We are thrilled to announce that two of our outstanding high school students have been named as National Merit Semifinalists in the prestigious 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. This significant achievement places them among the top high school scholars across the United States, recognizing their outstanding academic performance and potential for future success.

Colin Shen and Audrey Xu from Hanford 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). They make up two of the three National Merit Semifinalists from the Tri-Cities area.

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 several commended scholars recognized. Commended Students show an exceptional academic promise which is demonstrated by their outstanding performance on the PSAT. These students include Hanford High students Elena Chavla, Natalia De Vera, Phineas Gaul, Tyler Hill, Emma Miller, Navaj Nune, Louis Qin, Mirielle Shaffer, Clara Stickney, Adam Tan, Hosanna Tesfa and Julianne Thiel; and Richland High students Fintin Collins, Ethan Gotthold, Mooyoun Kim, Rebekah Shafer, Calvin Tallent and Emmett Van Mason.