21 Danville Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

DANVILLE, CA — Twenty-one students who attend school in Danville were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced Tuesday.

The students joined more than 16,000 students in the running to be named a National Merit Scholar, and receive a $2500 scholarship to help them further their education. The following students received PSAT/NMSQT exam scores high enough to place them in the top one percent of US high school seniors:

ATHENIAN SCHOOL

1. Aarav Aggarwal
2. Zachary Jarvis
3. Ella Riebli

HOME SCHOOL

1. Benjamin Klieger

MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

1. Anthony Chan
2. Ethan Chen
3. Owen Chen
4. Alan Fang
5. Ethem Gulcu
6. Aidan Huang
7. Alice Jiang
8. Emily Kalin
9. Jonathan Lu
10. Vivaan Patnaik
11. Elkan Pleat
12. Adithya Ramesh
13. Sheldon Tan
14. Carolyn Yang
15. Hannah Yang

SAN RAMON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

1. Canyon Montana
2. Youwen Wu

60 more students from San Ramon were named semifinalists (eight from California High School, and 52 from Dougherty Valley High School), bringing the total number of SRVUSD students named to 77.

To become a finalist, semifinalists must submit a detailed application that provides information on their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. They must also write an essay, be recommended by a high school official, and receive SAT or ACT scores high enough to qualify.

About 95 percent of semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of finalists are expected to win a National Merit Scholarship, according to the NMSC.

In 2023, six students from Danville obtained National Merit Scholarships.