Semifinalists in the 2027 

National Merit Scholarship Program

 9/9/2026

Cristina Busto | Director of College Counseling
 

Congratulations to the six students named Semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit® Scholarship Competition: Diego Balestrini, Daniel Guon, Juan Diego Leáñez, Ryan Nieto (not pictured), Jorge Ros, and Michael Zantua.

Nationally, about 16,000 students, less than 1% of the nation's graduating high school seniors, are named National Merit Program Semifinalists. These academically talented high school seniors have the opportunity to continue competing for about 6,700 National Merit Scholarships, worth approximately $24 million, to be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

We are also proud to announce that 19 students received Commended status in the National Merit Scholarship Program: Alexandro Acosta, Daniel Arner, Adrián Bertorell, *Ignacio Carrillo, *Eduardo Colitto, Eduardo Costa, Armando Cruz, Oliver de Armas, Gonzalo García, *Sebastián Jurado, *James Logue, Manuel Melcón, José Pérez, Andrés Plasencia, José Ramón Purroy, Felipe Recio, Gabriel Robaina, *Liam Salom, and Julián Viñals. * Not pictured

"Our students' dedication to academic excellence and their performance on the College Board assessment have earned them this well-deserved recognition, and we couldn't be prouder," stated Principal José E. Roca '84. "They daily embody the core principles we instill in our young men. This accolade highlights their remarkable high school accomplishments and serves as a strong foundation as they pursue a bright future."

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 title of Merit Scholar.