Armstrong senior Evelyn Johnson named National Merit Scholarship semifinalist

Armstrong High School (AHS) senior Evelyn Johnson has been named a semifinalist in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program, placing her among a select group of academically accomplished students from across the country.

Johnson is one of more than 16,000 high school seniors nationwide to earn semifinalist recognition this year. The group represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

Students entered the competition as juniors by taking the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). More than 1.2 million students from approximately 20,000 high schools participated. Semifinalists are among the highest-scoring entrants in their respective states.

Johnson now has an opportunity to advance to the finalist level and compete for one of approximately 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million.

To become a finalist, semifinalists must complete a detailed application highlighting their academic record, school and community involvement, leadership, employment, honors and awards. They must also be recommended by a school official, submit an essay, and earn an SAT or ACT score that confirms their performance on the qualifying test.

Finalists are expected to be named in February. From that group, approximately 6,700 will ultimately receive a National Merit Scholarship and earn the title of Merit Scholar.

Scholarship winners will be announced in several rounds beginning in April and continuing through July 2027. Awards include 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships, approximately 700 corporate-sponsored scholarships, and about 3,500 scholarships sponsored by colleges and universities.