Students from Missoula’s Big Sky, Hellgate and Sentinel high schools, and one student out of Stevensville were named semifinalists for the 2026 Merit Scholarship Program.
National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of more than 16,000 semifinalists from around the country who will go on to compete for almost 7,000 scholarships worth a total of $26 million, according to a Merit Scholarship press release.
Hellgate High School is tied with Bozeman High School for the most semifinalists from one school in the state, with six students. Hellgate High Principal Judson Miller said this is well-deserved recognition for the hard work of an “amazing” group of kids.
“I am elated for our students, the families, and our school system,” Miller said in a statement. “I am so happy that Hellgate High School gets to share a part of this collective effort and interact with this amazing cadre of students.”
Big Sky High School Principal Jennifer Courtney said she was “incredibly proud” of the four Big Sky High School semifinalists.
“I would also add these students are some of the kindest, caring and compassionate students, they truly embodied all that is Big Sky,” she said. “We look forward to seeing where their futures take them.”
One Sentinel High School student was named a semifinalist, Kaia Pinsondumm, and Delaware Braverman from Stevensville High School was also recognized.
Braverman is the only student in the Bitterroot to earn this status this year.
Stevensville High School Principal Zeke Kaney said the number of awards in each state is relative to its population, and in Montana that’s about 50 kids.
“To be one of 50 kids, that’s a tremendous accomplishment,” Kaney said.
More than 1.3 million juniors were screened to be considered by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).
To become a finalist, the scholarship corporation looks at academic record, community participation, leadership, employment and awards received. A high school official must endorse the applicant and write a letter of recommendation, the applicant must write an essay, and earn a qualifying SAT or ACT score.
About 95% of semifinalists become finalists, and about half of finalists go on to win a National Merit Scholarship.
Big Sky High School semifinalists:
Finlinson, Eden E.
Jurgensmeier, Joshua C.
Quilici, Zoe A.
Ries, Maizee A.
Hellgate High School semifinalists:
Chitty, Caroline
Hansen, William
Lane, Nicholas
Meservy, Ryan
Pham, Ryall
Stier, Kestrel
Sentinel High School semifinalists:
Pinsondumm, Kaia
Stevensville High School semifinalists:
Braverman, Delaware
Nicole Girten is the education reporter for the Ravalli Republic and the Missoulian.
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Nicole Girten
Education reporter for the Ravalli Republic & Missoulian
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