National Merit® Semifinalist

Immaculate Heart Academy is thrilled to announce that senior Isabella Ragone was named a National Merit® Semifinalist in the 2026 National Merit® Scholarship Program. This program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

More than 1.3 million juniors in about 20,000 high schools entered the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants.

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 an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,930 National Merit® Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.

To be considered for a 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.

Isabella received flowers from Miss Kerry Carroll ’04, principal of Immaculate Heart Academy, on September 10, 2025, when this honor was announced. Congratulations to Isabella on this prestigious achievement!

Additionally, ten Immaculate Heart Academy seniors were named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit® Scholarship Program: Danica Libanan, Riley Cannon, Alana Flores, Gabrielle Rivera, Alexandra Sosa, Madelyn Hryniw, Isabella Duca, Catalina Maglicic, Mary Quinn, and Madison Les. Click here for more information.