Two High School Students Named National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

University City High School seniors Gabriella Carvajal and Declan O'Leary were recently named National Merit Scholar Semifinalists. This honor is one of the most prestigious merit-based scholarships available with more than 1 million high school juniors entering the competition annually.

“Gabriella and Declan embody academic excellence and the desire to gain the most from their University Schools educational experience,” said Superintendent Sharonica L. Hardin-Bartley, Ph.D., PHR. “They truly embody the District’s vision of Learning Reimagined.

Gabby is currently in the Early College Experience Program, where she expects to earn an associates degree and a certificate of specialization as a Life Science Laboratory Assistant. She holds a 4.391 cumulative grade point average and scored a 34 on the ACT test last spring. Gabby is active in her school’s National Honor Society; Girls Varsity Soccer and Swim teams; and Latin, Theater, Environmental and Robotics clubs, just to name a few.

Equally accomplished, Declan is an AP Scholar who scored 1540 out of 1600 on his SAT, earned the UCHS Yale Book Club Award in 2023, was a nominee for the Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence, and already has 37 college credits. He also keeps himself busy participating on the Varsity Cross Country and Tennis teams, the UCHS Band and the Chess Club. He is an Eagle Scout with more than 46 badges and five Eagle Palms.

“We are so proud of them, and all our students, for striving to be their best every day,” said Hardin-Bartley.