Hampton Bays High School Senior Named Semifinalist In 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — A Hampton Bays High School senior has made his hometown proud: Jaime DePalma has been named a semifinalist in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program, earning the distinction through his "outstanding performance" on the fall 2025 PSAT, the Hampton Bays Union Free School District said.

He is among more than 16,000 semifinalists nationwide, representing less than 1 percent of students who took the qualifying exam, district officials said.

The recognition adds to DePalma’s many academic accomplishments, school officials said: An AP Scholar with Distinction and recipient of the AP Capstone Diploma, he is a member of his school’s National, Science and Math honor societies. He also serves as president of FBLA, or Future Business Leaders of America, and has competed in Science Olympiad, earning a medal during his junior year.

Beyond academics, DePalma competes on his school’s varsity cross-country, wrestling and tennis teams, and serves as captain of both the wrestling and tennis teams, the district said.

He also participates in Southampton Town’s Youth Court, serving as an attorney and a member of its advisory council, school officials said.

DePalma is applying to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, which he hopes to attend next fall, district officials added.

"The Hampton Bays School District congratulates Jaime DePalma on this outstanding achievement," the district said.