On September 11, 2024 officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) announced the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million that will 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.

Front row L-R: Anshul Dalal, Karina Martinez Marrero, Ishita Ohri, Anna Ryzenman & Nishil Sharma 
Back row L-R  Rohan Bala, Rohit Shukla, Parum Timbadia, Okorie Ukairo, Jaden Gao

We congratulate the 10 students designated as National Merit Semifinalists in the Class of 2025! Wishing you all the best as you pursue finalist standing. 

Semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit® Scholarship Program

Learn more about your semifinalists below. We asked them the following questions. 

• How many years have you attended New Albany Schools?

• What does the National Merit Semi- Finalist mean to you personally?

• What colleges or universities are you considering?

• What would you like to pursue as a major, career, etc?

• What sort of activities are you involved with at NAHS or in the community?

• Please share anything else you may feel you want people to know! 

Ishita Ohri
17

I have attended New Albany Schools for four years. I am thankful for the National Merit Semi-Finalist selection because I feel that I worked hard for it and this was the reward. Though I know that there is more to life than test scores, my strengths have always lied in academics and it's lovely to receive some recognition.

I am looking at The Ohio State University, University of Michigan, George Washington University, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Oberlin College, Georgetown University, Washington University, and William and Mary are all on my list currently. 

I plan to study History or Political Science and pursue a career in law. I am a Council President for Ohio Model United Nations, and I am the Speaker Director and Co-President of TEDxNewAlbany. I am also in the National Honor Society and I work at Playa Bowls.

Parum Timbadia
17

I have attended New Albany Schools my entire life. I felt very honored and simultaneously humbled to receive this award, because knowing that I share this award with many of the smartest students I've ever met is a great privilege.

Though I don't have my heart set on any particular university, I would be delighted to be admitted into Johns Hopkins or Yale; when I visited there, I was astounded by the dedication of the students there towards stretching their talents as far as possible.

I have been absolutely dead-set on becoming a physician since I was young, but along the way I've found a strong passion for chemistry and biology, so I think I would like to major in biochemistry or chemistry, depending on what is offered.

At New Albany, I'm part of Science Olympiad, our chapter of the National Honor Society, our Honors A Cappella Choir, and many other organizations I am proud to have had the chance to contribute to.

Anna Ryzenman
18

I have attended New Albany Schools for eight years. This selection is an honor to be recognized for my hard work towards academic success. It is an opportunity to be distinguished as a semi-finalist to show colleges that I make an effort to balance extracurriculars and academics, and I am very grateful to be honored.

I am interested in Northwestern University, The Ohio State University, University of Michigan. I am interested in majoring in Psychology and Marketing. BBYO, competitive dancer at Broadway Bound Dance Centre, National Honor Society

Nishil Sharma
17

I've been here since kindergarten, so this is my 13th year at New Albany Schools! This honor is the culmination of all the support I've received throughout the years. At New Albany, I have had the opportunity to participate in an incredible community and learn from some truly awesome educators, mentors, and peers, who push me to grow each and every day. I'm grateful to everyone who has made and continues to make New Albany Schools the special place it is! I'm also thankful for my family and their unrelenting encouragement. They have supported me in every step of my journey and I wouldn't be who I am today without them.

Some of the colleges/universities that I'm currently considering applying to are The Ohio State University, Kenyon College, the University of Cincinnati, Columbia University, and The University of Chicago.

The majors that I am mainly considering at the moment are physics and philosophy. I would love to end up with a career in education someday, but I'm considering pursuing a pre-law/medicine track as well.

At NAHS, I'm currently involved in the chamber orchestra, jazz band and Fine Arts club. I have also participated in the pit orchestra and been a member of the tennis team. In the community, I volunteer at nursing homes and for the Hinson Amphitheater.

Jaden Gao
17

I have attended New Albany Schools for 11 years, since first grade. To me, it recognizes the hard work of my peers in scoring so high on the PSAT.

For college, I am looking at Case Western Reserve U., Duke U., Emory U., Johns Hopkins U., Princeton U., Purdue U., Notre Dame U., U. of Pittsburgh, Washington U. at St. Louis, George Washington U., U. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The Ohio State U., University of Cincinnati. I would like to become a Doctor, pre med to med school.

Sousaphone section leader in the NAHS marching band, trombonist in NAHS gold jazz, tuba in NAHS H. Wind Ensemble, National Honor Society, Student Council, President of Chinese Culture Club, Secretary of Red Cross Club, Treasurer of Chess Club, Historian of Future Medical Professionals at NAHS, Treasurer of NAHS Asian Students Association, Eagle Scout with Troop 361, Interned at Nationwide Children's Orthopaedic Surgery department over the summer, captain at Westerville Crew (club rowing), I have three NAHS varsity letters and three from Westerville Crew, involved with the Ohio Association of Student Leaders (where I received All-Ohio Outstanding Student Leaders Award)

Rohit Shukla
17

I've attended New Albany Schools since kindergarten! Being selected as a National Merit Semi-Finalist is a reflection of my dedication to academic excellence and the effort I’ve put into achieving my personal best. This recognition underscores my commitment to consistently pushing myself to succeed and striving for the best in my academic pursuits.

Some colleges I am considering include The Ohio State University, University of Michigan, Georgia Institute of Technology, Cornell University, and Johns Hopkins University.

I am interested in going down the pre-med track and majoring in neuroscience. I hope to be a physician-scientist one day!

Some clubs I am involved in include National Honors Society, Key Club, and Robotics. Outside of school, I do taekwondo and volunteer with different organizations that serve underserved communities across Ohio. Some things I love to do in my free time include traveling to different places, playing tennis and basketball, and photography!

Anshul Dalal
17

I have attended New Albany Schools all my life, 13 years. Being a National Merit Semi-Finalist is a significant testament to sum up my years of dedication to everything I do, inside and outside of the classroom. I feel that my efforts to develop myself academically and holistically are recognized, inspiring me to continue my persistent attitude towards opportunities that lay in my future.

For college I am considering Stanford University, Purdue University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Bradley University and majoring in Engineering.

I am Co-Captain of The Digital Eagles (FIRST Robotics Team 5667), Marching Snare in the NAHS Drumline. Come to the 8th Annual Robotics Haunted House! Dates are October 18-19 and 25-26 from 7:00-10:00 PM!

Rohan Bala
17

I have attended New Albany Schools for 10 years. Being selected a National Merit Semi-Finalist represents the support of my family, who encourage me to value education. It is also a representation of the hard work we put in to achieve this.

For college I am considering Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Purdue, OSU, University of Michigan, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, Caltech, and Georgia Tech, majoring in Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering.

I am a Speaker Coach for TedXNewAlbany, I co-founded the New Albany Rocketry Club and founded the New Albany Makers Club, I run Track and XC, and I am a part of Science Olympiad.

Outside school, I founded the RocketryOutreachMovement.com to help spread rocketry to other schools, tutor on Schoolhouse.world for free to help others with the SAT, and am a part of the USA Spacemodeling Team.

I really like rockets, cars, and cereal, specifically fruit loops.

Karina Martinez Marrero
17

I have attended New Albany Schools for 10 years. Being selected as a National Merit Semi-Finalists really validates the hard work and focus on academics through high school. I’m proud that it paid off and was recognized in this way.

I am looking at The Ohio State University and majoring in Architecture.

I’ve participated in the NAHS Key Club and volunteered at Healthy New Albany. I also like making art and learning different languages.

*Okorie Ukairo Responses not submitted 

We also celebrate our 15 Commended Scholars! 

Front row L-R Elizabeth Roverud, Bemnet Worku, Gargi Lokare, Matthew Stucke, Kyle Gilchrist, Charlie Wilcoxon & Wyatt Hines
Back row L-R Isaac Payne, Ege Alidededeoglu, William Green, Anirudh Koushik & David Cram

Not present: Aidan Dickson, Dana Stan & Andrew Morgan