LEONARDTOWN, Md. (September 29, 2025) — St. Mary’s Ryken High School announced that five students from the Class of 2026—Collin George, Georga Mudd, Annabelle Obe, Bella Sola, and Jarrison Tharp—have been named semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. The prestigious recognition places them among the top one percent of U.S. high school seniors, highlighting their academic excellence and potential for further distinction in the competition.
The announcement, made by school officials, underscores the students’ rigorous academic records, leadership, and involvement in the St. Mary’s Ryken community. “We are incredibly proud of Collin, Georga, Annabelle, Bella, and Jarrison for earning this prestigious recognition,” said Principal Catherine Campbell. “Their commitment to excellence in the classroom, along with their leadership and involvement in our school community, exemplifies what it means to be a Knight. We look forward to cheering them on as they advance in the National Merit Scholarship competition.”
The National Merit Scholarship Program, established in 1955, identifies high-performing students through the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), taken in the fall of their junior year. The nationwide pool of approximately 16,000 semifinalists represents the highest-scoring entrants in each state, selected based on their PSAT/NMSQT performance. To advance to finalist standing, semifinalists must submit a detailed application, including an outstanding academic record, an endorsement from their high school, a personal essay, and SAT or ACT scores that confirm their qualifying test results. In early 2026, St. Mary’s Ryken will learn if these students achieve finalist status, positioning them for potential scholarships ranging from one-time awards of $2,500 to renewable corporate or college-sponsored grants.
Its curriculum includes Advanced Placement and honors courses, preparing students for competitive college admissions. The school’s Xaverian Brothers heritage fosters leadership and service, qualities reflected in the semifinalists’ achievements. In recent years, St. Mary’s Ryken has consistently produced National Merit scholars, with multiple commended students and semifinalists in the 2024 and 2025 cycles, according to school records.
The National Merit program evaluates over 1.3 million test-takers annually, with semifinalists representing less than one percent of participants. Maryland’s selection index, which determines semifinalist cutoffs, is among the nation’s highest due to competitive academic standards. For context, the 2025 cutoff for Maryland was 221 out of a possible 228 on the PSAT/NMSQT, though exact scores for the 2026 cycle remain undisclosed until final announcements. Semifinalists like George, Mudd, Obe, Sola, and Tharp have demonstrated exceptional performance across critical reading, mathematics, and writing sections, alongside sustained excellence in their coursework.
To reach finalist status, the students will submit applications by October 2025, detailing their academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and leadership roles. St. Mary’s Ryken supports this process through its college counseling office, which guides students in crafting essays and securing recommendations. Approximately 15,000 finalists nationwide are expected to emerge in February 2026, with winners announced in spring. Scholarships are awarded based on merit, with recipients gaining access to opportunities at top universities and corporate sponsors.
The St. Mary’s Ryken community, known for its “Knight pride,” has rallied around the five students. Their achievements follow a tradition of academic distinction, with the school’s rigorous curriculum and extracurricular programs—ranging from robotics to performing arts—nurturing well-rounded scholars. The campus, set on 87 acres, offers resources like a STEM lab and a college counseling center, which have supported past National Merit scholars in securing admissions to institutions like the University of Maryland and Georgetown University.
As the students await word on finalist status, the school continues to emphasize holistic development. Events like the annual Academic Awards Night, scheduled for spring 2026, will likely celebrate these semifinalists alongside other high achievers. The National Merit program, administered by the nonprofit National Merit Scholarship Corporation, remains a benchmark for academic excellence, with over $30 million in scholarships awarded annually to support students’ higher education.
