Shawnee Mission Congratulates National Merit Semifinalists

National Merit Semifinalists from the Shawnee Mission School District and their family members were recently invited to a district breakfast to formally recognize their outstanding academic achievements. 

Superintendent Dr. Michael Schumacher, high school principals, Board of Education members, and district leaders attended the honor reception, applauding students and their family members for their accomplishments and successes. 

Dr. Schumacher thanked the families for supporting their students and wished them well as they prepare for their futures.

The National Merit Program has named five Shawnee Mission seniors as semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. These students took the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. Approximately 16,000 semifinalists were selected nationwide. These semifinalists represent less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors, according to a release from the National Merit program.

The following students earned semifinalist distinction and will have an opportunity to advance in the competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, worth about $30 million that will be offered next spring.

SHAWNEE MISSION EAST
William Barcus
Adeline Clifford

SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH
Alyssa Walker

SHAWNEE MISSION WEST
Brendan Hunn
Nathan Mestel