(05/07/2025) Coon Rapids High School - Center for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering (CRHS) senior Cole Burnett has earned the highest honors a graduating senior can receive. Burnett was named a 2025 National Merit Scholar.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced this year’s winners, who have earned the distinction of being a National Merit Scholar and the $2,500 scholarship that comes with it. Burnett is one of just 46 seniors from Minnesota and 2,500 students nationwide to be named a National Merit Scholar. 

Students are chosen to become finalists based on their PSAT scores, which is the practice version of the SAT they take during their junior year. National Merit Scholarship winners are the finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. 

Scholars are selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraise a substantial amount of information submitted by both the finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including the difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®); contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.

On April 23, about 830 recipients of corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards were named, and on June 4 and July 14, some 3,600 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners will be announced.