The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) announced the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented students have the opportunity to compete for 6,870 National Merit Scholarships valued at nearly $26 million. Congratulations to the following students from Collier County Public Schools who earned this honor:

• Danae Gutierrez-Leon (Barron Collier High)
• Braden M. Miller (Barron Collier High)
• Isidor Radojevic (Barron Collier High)
• Alexander J. Russano (Barron Collier High)
• Isabella Lala (Gulf Coast High)
• Selma C. Parfene (Gulf Coast High)
• Isabel Katherine R. Rasmussen (Gulf Coast High)
• Shamara K. Bornelus (Lely High)

High school juniors entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which serves as an initial screen of program entrants. Click here to read the full news release from the National Merit® Scholarship Program.