![Graphic with cap & gown saying National Merit Seminfinalists]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1789394511/smsdorg/hehljx4ppu0ee7hgv96e/NationalMeritSemi2026.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1789394511/smsdorg/hehljx4ppu0ee7hgv96e/NationalMeritSemi2026.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1789394511/smsdorg/hehljx4ppu0ee7hgv96e/NationalMeritSemi2026.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1789394511/smsdorg/hehljx4ppu0ee7hgv96e/NationalMeritSemi2026.jpg","width":834}])
The Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) is proud to recognize seniors across the district announced in the 2027 National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship Program.
The National Merit Program has named 17 Shawnee Mission seniors as semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. These students took the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The 16,000 semifinalists named represent less than 1 percent of United States High School seniors. The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
The following students earned semifinalist distinction and will have an opportunity to advance in the competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, worth nearly $24 million. Finalists will be notified of this designation next February.
Shawnee Mission East
Avni Bansal
Carter Batdorf
Jordan Head
Margo Lewis
Jacob Lien
Charlotte Moore
Grace Pei
Claire Rosen
Gray Snyder
Michael Yi
Shawnee Mission North
Lyra Johnson
Shawnee Mission Northwest
Joseph Candelario
Shawnee Mission South
Noah Beauchamp
Carter Bucl
Owen Coleman
Bryan Dodson
Shawnee Mission West
Bailey Aldridge