(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – September 27, 2024) — El Paso ISD is incredibly proud to announce that two of our students are semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Benjamin Ingram of Coronado High School and Samuel Rivas of Franklin High School have secured the honor of being semifinalists for the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, a distinction earned by less 1% of applicants across the country, and El Paso ISD is the only district in the county to secure the honor. The pair of students were honored on Tuesday, September 24 during the regular board meeting where they received specially made plaques to recognize their amazing accomplishments.
Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,780 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. The semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities. The semifinalist must also have an outstanding academic record throughout high school and have a recommendation by a high school official.
Benjamin and Samuel reflect El Paso ISD’s Whole Child approach to education which is reflected in their academic achievements and their interests reaching beyond including the marching band, academic decathlon, High Q, the National Honor Society, and several other activities.
The National Merit Scholarship winners of 2025 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and ending in July.
