Recognizing 27 CSD’s 2025 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

merit n, 1. a praiseworthy quality 2. character or conduct deserving reward, honor, or esteem

The mission of Canyons District is to prepare all students for college, careers and meaningful life opportunities, and we strive to recognize those students who go above and beyond their everyday studies to better themselves and others.

This year, 26 students within the District have been recognized as Semifinalists in the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. All five of Canyons traditional high schools have students being recognized for this prestigious honor. 

More than one million juniors from 21,000 high schools across the country entered the scholarship program which requires a number of screening tests and qualifications. The pool of semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. That’s more than 16,000 students.

To be considered for the program, students take a Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Once accepted as semifinalists, students then have to submit a number of other records demonstrating their leadership abilities, community and school activities, employment, academic records, and any honors and awards they have received. They also have to be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores confirming their earlier performance. 

From the pool of over 16,000 semifinalists, more than 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level in February. 

A big congratulations to all of our Canyons District Semifinalists. 

ALTA HIGH SCHOOL

Cutler, Graham

Dutton, William C.

BRIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL

Anderson, Asher R.

Dastrup, Daisy 

Edwards, Aspen L.

Hansen, Thomas P.

Howe, Alonzo Talmage

Parry, Avery J.

CORNER CANYON HIGH SCHOOL

Atkin, Henry J.

Bennett, Logan W.

Harrison, Elline H.

Meadows, Alyssa

Pettit, Austin C.

HILLCREST HIGH SCHOOL

Chen, Ivan

Chun, Sang Hyun

Giolas, Peter

Haueter, Anastasia A.

Hsu, Anthony

Kandukuri, Aarnav

Loh, Edward Q.

Lu, Thomas Q.

Murugappan, Vishwa G.

Nair, Nayantara R.

Parikh, Aarav B.

Vislawath, Dheeraj

Williams, Gabriel L.

JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL

Stepan, Mitchell L.