Inside Sacred Heart :: News & Views

Four Sacred Heart Seniors Earn Prestigious National Merit Honors

Four seniors at Academy of Sacred Heart have earned national recognition in the 72nd annual National Merit® Scholarship Program, placing them among the top academic performers in the United States.

Arabella Lara ’27 and Nora Lavigne ’27 were named National Merit Semifinalists, while Elizabeth Alford ’27 and Chloé Shannon ’27 were recognized as National Merit Commended Scholars.

Together, these honors celebrate exceptional academic drive and showcase the depth of talent within the Class of 2027.

Reaching the Top 1% Nationally

Out of more than 1.2 million students across 20,000 high schools who took the qualifying PSAT/NMSQT®, Arabella Lara and Nora Lavigne scored in the top fraction of one percent nationwide.

As Semifinalists, Lara and Lavigne are now eligible to compete for roughly 6,700 National Merit Scholarships valued at nearly $24 million. To reach Finalist status, they will complete a detailed application highlighting their academic record, community leadership, extracurricular accomplishments, and personal essays.

Historically, about 95% of Semifinalists advance to the Finalist stage, which will be announced in February 2027.

Demonstrating Excellence Across the Board

In addition to the Semifinalists, Elizabeth Alford and Chloé Shannon earned Commended Scholar status. While Commended Scholars do not continue in the scholarship competition, their scores place them in the top 50,000 students nationwide, reflecting outstanding potential and academic dedication.

"These distinctions are a testament to the rigorous academic preparation and supportive learning environment at Sacred Heart, where students are encouraged to pursue excellence in all areas of their education," the school shared in a statement.

What’s Next for the Scholars?

The National Merit Scholarship winners for the Class of 2027 will be announced in four phases beginning in April and running through July 2027. Winners will join a network of over 395,000 distinguished Merit Scholar alumni nationwide.

Academy of Sacred Heart extends its heartfelt congratulations to Arabella, Nora, Elizabeth, and Chloé as they represent the school on the national stage.