St. Mary’s Dominican High School seniors Katherine Amick, Marta Giarrusso, Lourdes Hanemann, Leah Plaisance, and Shanlee Raimer have been recognized as semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit® Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) competition. They are among the more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 72nd annual National Merit® Scholarship Program.

The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.

These academically talented high school seniors have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,700 National Merit® Scholarships worth nearly $24 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for 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.