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Four Bush Upper School Students Named 2026 National Merit Semifinalists
On Wednesday, September 10, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the seventy-first annual National Merit Scholarship Program. We are pleased to share that four members of The Bush School’s Class of 2026, Measles V. ’26, Chloe G. ’26, Gus S. ’26 , and Evoc S. ’26 (not pictured), have been recognized as National Merit Semifinalists.
“We are very proud of our four semifinalists,” shared Upper School Director Ingrid Gustavson. “All of them are hard-working students who not only contribute in the classroom, but also play key roles in extracurricular programs in the Upper School, too.”
According to NMSC, these students represent the top scorers on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), and now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for nearly 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth almost $26 million to be conferred next spring. These scholarships are funded not only by NMSC but also by about 300 organizations, higher education institutions, and donors who share the same vision of uplifting the country’s scholastic achievers who continue to pave the way for academic greatness.
About 95% of Semifinalists are expected to advance to Finalist standing, and roughly half will ultimately earn the title of National Merit Scholar. Those who are dubbed as National Merit Scholars are selected based on their skills, accolades, and potential to excel at college-level curricula. The awardees of 2026 will be announced in four nationwide news broadcasts from April to July, and will be commemorated alongside approximately 389,000 remarkable young adults who have also earned the Merit Scholar title.
At Bush, we celebrate this recognition as a reflection of our students’ intellectual curiosity, perseverance, and courage to pursue scholastic excellence. Their achievement embodies our commitment to nurturing open minds and inspiring young people to blaze their own trails after high school.
The Bush School is an independent day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 746 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities
3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
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