Feature Stories

28 Minnetonka Seniors Named National Merit Semifinalists

Twenty-eight Minnetonka High School seniors have been named 2024 National Merit Semifinalists in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The students scored among the nation's best on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) taken their junior year.

“We congratulate each of Minnetonka’s National Merit Semifinalists for this outstanding achievement,” said Superintendent of Schools David Law. “The honor acknowledges our students’ dedication to their studies, the support of our teachers and the depth of the academic preparation offered throughout students’ experiences in our district. We are so proud of each of you.”

"This prestigious distinction recognizes an untold amount of hard work that our students have invested during their high school careers,” said Minnetonka High School Principal Jeff Erickson. “Being named a National Merit Semifinalist honors students’ focus to excel academically.”

Congratulations to the following students in the Class of 2024:

  • JOHN ARMSTRONG
  • GRACE BAEB
  • ALEXANDER BARTHOLOMEW
  • LUKE BAUSTERT
  • DASHA BEREZHANSKIY
  • EMILY BODEAU
  • EVELYN ENGEBRETSON
  • JASON HUANG
  • AYMARA JOHNSON
  • HENRY JONES
  • JACKSON KLOS
  • HANNAH KONEZNY
  • ARJAV KRISHNA
  • PHOEBE LEE
  • DEVIN MAAHS
  • ROBERT MATTSON
  • MAJA MOBERG
  • LUKAS MURDYCH
  • VALERIE NELSON
  • ANNA-SOFIA PEDERSEN
  • ANDREW PETOUVIS
  • SONIA PILLAI
  • MAHEEN RAHMATULLAH
  • HENRY REMICK
  • ZACHARY STEINGAS
  • HEMANTH VANGALA
  • GAUTAM VENKATESH
  • NOLAN WAYMAN

All semifinalists will have an opportunity to continue the competition for approximately 7,140 National Merit Scholarships to be offered next spring. To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.

About the National Merit Scholarship Program
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)—which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.3 million entrants each year—and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements.

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