The following is a press release from SMMUSD. Photo: Student scholars from Samohi were recognized by the school board and Superintendent Dr. Shelton
Congratulations to the seven Santa MonicaMalibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists and the 32 Commended Students. These students rank among the top-scoring participants in the National Merit Scholarship Program, a distinction achieved by less than 4% of
entrants nationwide.
Out of 1.5 million entrants, about 50,000 with the highest Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test scores qualify for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program as semifinalists and commended students.
For Santa Monica High School (Samohi) Semifinalists are Phoebe Benun, Naomi Gage, Connor Lee, Isabella Moses, Henry Sullivan, Avelaine Thompson, and Emi Yamashiro-Herget.
Commended Students are Simon Ashford, Ry Bardacke, Maren Bruce, Anjalie Butte, Julia Faber, Lev Fakhrutdinov, Jackson Golden, Simone Guttman, Yanai Ortiz, Samuel Heidemann, Yunho Heo, Peter Jarvis, Sara Javerbaum, Ryne Kapen, Lucien O’Neil, Daniela Petran, Dalia Puchalt, Christopher Rhee, Jane Robinson, Joshua Shaw, Drew Stern, Marco Sung, Archer Thaler, Cleo Topp, Eames Weeks-Manjarres, and Diana Zemaitis.
The Commended Students from Malibu High School are Brienna Brandau, Kylie Epstein, Logan Epstein, Chloe Loquet, Hank Norby, and Caidyn Ovsiowitz.
“We are incredibly proud of each of our semifinalists and commended students,” said SMMUSD Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton. “Their dedication to academic excellence is an inspiration to our entire district, and these honors reflect the hard work of our students, the support of their families, and the commitment of our educators.”
According to the National Merit Scholarship website, “semifinalists are designated on a state representation
basis and are the highest scoring entrants in each state.” The website goes on to explain that in order for semifinalists to advance to finalist standing in the competition, they must meet the high academic standards, as well as all the other requirements explained in the information provided to each semifinalist.
Additionally, out of the 50,000 students recognized, 34,000 are commended students. These students receive letters of commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise. Although commended students do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, some do become candidates for special scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.
The Board of Education recognized the Samohi students for their achievements at the Nov. 21, 2024, board meeting. MHS students will be recognized at a board meeting in the spring.
