September 15, 2026 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.

National Merit Semifinalists
Front Row (L-R) Sophia de Mesa, Maggie Farrell, Pranav Das, Sutton Sykes
Back Row (L-R) Patrick Stucke, Arjun Ohri, Arnan Srivastava, Harun Siddiqui, Henry Lyaker, Dinath Pattinige, Will McClimon, Lincoln Dickson 
 

*Drew Jackson, not in group photo

We congratulate the 13 students designated as National Merit Semifinalists in the Class of 2027! Wishing you all the best as you pursue finalist standing. 

Semifinalists in the 2027 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! 

Pranav Das, 17
10 Years at NAPLS

Being recognized as a National Merit Semi-Finalist means a chance to look ahead toward college with greater confidence in my ability to handle rigorous academic spaces. Georgia Tech, Purdue, UIUC, and OSU are the main colleges/universities I am considering. I am planning to pursue Electrical and Computer Engineering for my major. In NAHS, I am the founder and president of the AI club, a study event captain in Science Olympiad, and a member of NHS. Personally, I have a very strong passion for music and culture. In fact, I have actually been learning the classical flute for the past six months.  
 

Sophia de Mesa, 17
12 years at NAPLS

As someone who is of relatively average intelligence, I feel very honored to be recognized alongside my peers for the hard work we’ve put in throughout the years. For college I am considering; The Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, Miami University, University of Cincinnati, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh. I want to major in nursing in college, and either end up working in the emergency room or the labor and delivery department. I am in the marching band, jazz band, orchestra, pit orchestra, and NHS. I also do private piano lessons, work at Panera Bread, and volunteer at the church and the Amphitheatre. I am Filipino and Japanese!   
 

Lincoln Dickson, 18
12 years at NAPLS

Personally, I view this selection as a gift from God. He has always gifted me with intelligence, and now I am able to use that gift to pursue my dream college and career. My dream college since middle school has been Liberty University, so that is where I intend to go. I would like to become a chaplain in the US Army. I play baseball, and also lead a Bible Study group with students my age weekly. I just want to give all the glory to God for this accomplishment. Without Him, I would not be where I am, and I know that I have no talent on my own apart from Him.   
 

Maggie Farrell, 17
13 years at NAPLS

Being recognized as a National Merit Semi-Finalist is a culmination of all of my academic achievements. As an autistic woman I'm very proud to be an example of what neurodivergence can achieve. For college I am looking at Notre Dame, St. Mary’s, and Denison at the moment. I want to go into psychology. I do theatre, specifically stage management!    

Drew Jackson, 18
One year at NAPLS

To me, being a National Merit Semi-Finalist is a way to show that I’m not just an athlete and also can hold my own in the classroom. I have looked up to my older brother my entire life, who was also a National Merit Semi-Finalist and is now a Division 1 baseball player. I also play football here at New Albany and am mostly known for being a football player. The stereotype around being a football player usually doesn’t include academic achievement and I hope to change that heuristic.

I am mostly looking at top 20 universities. Among my top choices would be Stanford, Princeton, Harvard, Dartmouth, UVA, USC, and Yale. I want to become a psychiatrist. At New Albany, I play quarterback for the football team. Also, I am an at-large representative on the Tribal Youth Council for my tribe, the Cherokee Nation. Currently, I’m working on my certification to become a mediator. Go Eagles!   
 

Henry Lyaker, 17
13 years at NAPLS

Becoming a National Merit Semi-Finalist is something I’m really proud of and grateful for. It’s a reminder that the effort I’ve put in has paid off, and it’s something I’ll be proud to look back on as I move into my next chapter after high school. I am considering The Ohio State University, University of Virginia, and Duke University. I intend on majoring in Biology on a Pre-Med track, with the goal of attending medical school and becoming a practicing physician. I have played 4 years of Ice Hockey and Lacrosse for NAHS. I'm super thankful for all the teachers, coaches, friends, and family who have supported me throughout my time at New Albany. 
 

William McClimon, 17
12 years at NAPLS

Being named Semi-finalist feels extremely rewarding. But I also wouldn't have gotten here without the support of New Albany teachers- Mr. Schuler, Ms. Matinides, Mr. Moore, Mrs. Farley, and Mrs. Woodmansee to name a few- who have gone above and beyond to push me as a student. And my parents, who have provided guidance along this entire journey. I really appreciate this recognition, and all the people who helped me get here. I am considering Stanford, Duke, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Harvard, MIT, RPI and Santa Clara. 

I'm planning to study aerospace engineering, hopefully followed by a long career of building rockets! Around New Albany, I am heavily involved with the Miracle League, where you'll see me calling games or working the scoreboard. At NAHS, I lead the rocketry and debate club, am a board member of NHS, play volleyball, and am a Cedar House leader. Go Cedar! Go Eagles!! 
 

Arjun Ohri,15
Five years at NAPLS

I’m proud to be named a National Merit Semifinalist because it’s a recognition of the time and effort I’ve invested in my education. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to continue challenging myself in college. I’m currently considering MIT, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, Purdue, and The Ohio State University. I’m interested in pursuing mechanical engineering, with a focus on robotics, automotive engineering, and hands-on design. Long term, I’d like to work on complex engineering projects, potentially in motorsports or another field where I can combine design, problem-solving, and building. I’m the captain of New Albany High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition team, the Digital Eagles 5667. I’m also involved in the marching band and jazz bands at NAHS and have done STEM research through Ohio State.
 

Dinath Pattinige, 17
12 years at NAPLS

To me, being selected as a National Merit Semi-Finalist represents the culmination of years of hard work and endless support from my family, teachers, friends, and the community. I am currently considering The Ohio State University, Indiana University, and the University of North Carolina. I am currently undecided, but I am leaning toward Biomedical Engineering and seeing where that takes me! I am the President of Books 4 Bright Futures, a nonprofit dedicated to helping kids from less privileged communities in Ohio and Sri Lanka learn to read. I am also an active participant with Healthy New Albany, OMUN, Camp Invention, and the NAHS Key Club. Also, I work at a clothing company called Haki Studios. Go Eagles!    

Harun Siddiqui, 16
Six years at NAPLS

That I scored above a certain threshold on a standardized test. I am looking at The Ohio State University. I am looking at majoring in Linguistics. I am involved in In The Know.   

Arnan Srivastava, 17
Six years at NAPLS

I am happy that I was selected as the National Merit semi finalist - it validated for me that hard work does yield results. For college I am looking at OSU, JHU (Johns Hopkins University) and Columbia, I want to major in Mechanical Engineering. I am involved in Robotics Executive Chairman, Science Olympiad Captain, Boy Scouts Senior Patrol Leader and FMP Club Treasurer. I would love to spotlight two amazing clubs at our school that have had a strong impact on me: Robotics and Science Olympiad. The more important thing that I would like to highlight is that these would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our teachers and mentors - Dr. Wilburn, Ms. Ganesan, Mr. Effron and Coach Jason.  

Patrick Stucke, 17
13 years at NAPLS

I am happy about this achievement, and that some of my friends were also semifinalists. I am still undecided on a college. I want to major in Engineering. I am involved in Robotics, Marching & Jazz Band, Bowling, and Volunteering. I love food.     

Sutton Sykes, 17
12 years at NAPLS

I’m incredibly proud to receive the award and I’m very grateful for all of the resources and opportunities that have been available to me in the process. The primary college that I’m considering is The University of Florida, but I’m also interested in The University of South Florida, OSU, and Alabama. I would like to be a dermatologist in the future and open my own practice. I’m a member of the varsity swim team, where I was awarded Second Team All-Conference two years in a row. I also enjoy coaching youth swimming in the summer. I’m thankful for my parents for always guiding me and supporting me throughout my education, and for getting me back on track if I ever fell behind.