Nine Kansas Teens Named National Merit Semifinalists

Nine Lawrence area high school seniors just earned a spot among America's brightest students, and they're one step closer to winning scholarships that could change their futures.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation named more than 16,000 semifinalists nationwide for 2027, including six students from Lawrence school district and three from Bishop Seabury Academy. These teens scored higher than 99% of their peers on a qualifying test that screens over a million students annually.

From Lawrence High School, Ben Jackson, Connor Coons, Davian Copeland, Rhett Sullivan, Sadie Reynolds, and Sejun Yun earned the honor. Jane Ma, Charlie Maples, and Alice Pulsinelli from Bishop Seabury Academy also made the cut.

The path to this achievement started with the 2025 Preliminary SAT, which doubles as the qualifying test for the scholarship program. Only the highest scorers in each state advance to semifinalist status.

Now comes the real work. These students must submit detailed applications showcasing their academic records, leadership roles, community service, and work experience. They'll also write essays and submit additional SAT or ACT scores to confirm their qualifying performance.

About 15,000 of the 16,000 semifinalists typically advance to finalist status by February. From there, the competition narrows as students vie for actual scholarship awards to be announced next spring.

The Ripple Effect

When students like these nine achieve at the highest levels, their entire community benefits. Their success puts Lawrence on the national map and inspires younger students to dream bigger about their own academic futures.

These semifinalists also bring recognition to their schools and teachers who helped shape their learning journeys. Their achievement demonstrates what's possible when talented students meet quality education and supportive communities.

The scholarships they're competing for don't just ease the financial burden of college. They open doors to prestigious universities and career opportunities that create positive change for generations to come.

Nine talented teens are proving that small Kansas communities can produce world class scholars.