Thomas Jefferson High School senior Reagan Sanderson has been named one of just 16,000 national semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. 

National Merit Semifinalists now must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. Approximately 95% of semifinalists will reach finalist standing, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Finalists will then be eligible to compete for more than 6,800 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million this spring. Half of the finalists should win a scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title, according to the corporation.

2025 marks the 70th year for the National Merit Scholarship program.