​Byram Hills High School Celebrates 3 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

ARMONK, NY — A trio of exceptional local high school seniors were named among an elite group of scholars nationwide.

From the Byram Hills Central School District.

Three Byram Hills High School seniors were selected as semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, an achievement that allows them to compete for 6,930 scholarships worth nearly $26 million in the spring.

The semifinalists are Claire Mauney, Angelina Nie and Amanda Olego.

They are among more than 16,000 semifinalists, who represent less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors. The nationwide group of semifinalists includes the highest-scoring students in each state.

SEE ALSO: 187 Hudson Valley Semifinalists Made The Cut In The 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program

"We are incredibly proud of our three National Merit semifinalists," Principal Christopher Walsh said. "Their recognition is a true testament to their academic excellence, commitment to learning, and remarkable achievement. They embody the values of Byram Hills, and we congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition."

More than 1.3 million students entered the scholarship competition last year as juniors by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which was an initial screener.

"Congratulations to our three National Merit semifinalists!" Guidance Chairperson Kristina Wilson said. "Your dedication and achievement are a source of pride for our school community. Way to represent BHHS – you inspire us all."

To become a finalist, students must submit an application with information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership abilities, employment, honors and awards. They must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be recommended by a school official, write an essay and achieve standardized test scores that confirm their performance on the qualifying test.

Most semifinalists are expected to advance to the finalist round, and about half of the finalists will win a National Merit scholarship and the Merit Scholar title. The winners will be chosen for their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The finalists will be announced in February and the winners will be announced in the spring and summer.

This press release was produced by the Byram Hills Central School District. The views expressed here are the author's own.