MADISON, Wis.—Thirty-seven Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) students have been named semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, including 25 students from West High School, eight from Vel Phillips Memorial High School and four from East High School.

Similar to last year, MMSD has more National Merit semifinalists than any other school district in Wisconsin, while West High School has more semifinalists than any other individual high school in the state.

The students earned the distinction based on their performance on the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) which serves as the initial screening of approximately 1.3 million students who enter the National Merit Scholarship Program each year.

“These students have demonstrated an exceptional level of academic achievement, and we are proud to celebrate this accomplishment with them, their families and the educators who have supported their success,” said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, MMSD assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “Their recognition reflects the value of challenging students to pursue their highest academic aspirations.”

The National Merit Scholarship Program will select approximately 15,000 finalists from the 16,000 semifinalists nationwide. About 6,930 students will ultimately receive National Merit Scholarships through the program, corporate sponsors and participating colleges and universities.

MMSD students interested in earning National Merit recognition are encouraged to register for the 2026 PSAT/NMSQT by Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. In addition to serving as the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program, the PSAT gives students an opportunity to practice for the SAT, receive information about their academic strengths and areas for growth, and connect with college and career resources.

MMSD’s 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalists are:

East High School

• Kelsey Henderson 
• Olivia Erdman 
• Lydia Seys 
• David Hazen

Vel Phillips Memorial High School

• Varnika Arianathan 
• Flora Jenkins 
• Paul Ketchum 
• Emma Kidarsa 
• Daniel Ma 
• Julius Schmitz 
• Derek Sisauyhoat 
• Amalia Weix

West High School

• Eli Bailey
• James Berard
• Yonatan Bernstein
• Ayelet Blum
• Jacob Bolling
• Jiyoon Chang
• Anja DeWald
• Owen Dunn
• Hazel Foster
• Kent Mullen
• Eli O’Connor
• Alana Poi
• Zachary Richmond
• Peter Schilling
• Sophie Smead
• Eleanor Steiner
• Graham Taft
• Summit Todd
• Aria Tokaji
• Augustus Wautier
• Anne Welham
• Violet Wickizer
• Gabriel Wilde
• Annika Zhou
• Sarina Zhou

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that MMSD will be a learning community where all students are valued, challenged, supported and inspired to reach their dreams. With more than 7,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.