Three seniors named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

Three Anoka-Hennepin seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, and each is now in the running to earn one of 6,700 scholarships of up to $2,500 for college. 

National Merit Scholarship semifinalists:

• Henry Finke, Champlin Park High School - International Baccalaureate Programme.
• Taison Scofield, Blaine High School - Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science.
• Nahum Yilma, Coon Rapids High School - Center for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering.

The three Anoka-Hennepin students are among nearly 16,000 semifinalists nationally who have the opportunity to become National Merit Scholars. 

To become a semifinalist, high school juniors entered the National Merit Scholarship program by taking the 2025 Preliminary SAT, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. 

Next, the semifinalists will submit a detailed scholarship application, providing information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, honors and awards received, among other requirements.

From the 16,000 semifinalists, more than 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level in February. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of finalists. About 700 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships will be provided and about 140 colleges and universities are expected to finance 3,500 college-sponsored scholarships.

National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July.