For more than 65 years, the National Merit® Scholarship Program has launched an annual quest to find and reward American high school seniors whose academic prowess and passions point to success both in and out of the classroom. More than 1.3 million students entered the 2024 program in hopes of securing a spot in the top 4% of test takers to receive commendation or semifinalist status.  

This year, six CHCA seniors have done just that. 

Students Madelyn Glenn, Emmett Looman, Olivia Noh, Jake Kossuth, Jake Kaesemeyer, and Carson Rueter began their journey as juniors, taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) in 2022. Kossuth, Kaesemeyer, and Rueter placed among the top 50,000 entrants and earned recognition as commended students, while Glenn, Looman, and Noh have been selected as semifinalists and will continue in the competition for three of a few prized finalist positions. 

“We are incredibly proud of these students for being named National Merit semifinalists and commended students,” says Dr. Dean Nicholas, Head of School at CHCA. “This achievement serves as further confirmation of the outstanding people they have become. Our community thrives because of their dedication to servant leadership and academic excellence.” 

Representing active leaders in Student Organized Service groups and National Honors Society, key players on sports teams, musicians in CHCA’s bands, varsity cheerleaders, and members of the award-winning robotics team, Glenn, Looman, Noh, Kossuth, Kaesemeyer, and Rueter have invested their time and talents into making CHCA the community it is today. Their recognition adds to the school’s track record of commendation by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Years past have seen CHCA students advance to the final stage, where a board of judges weighs academic record against demonstrated community involvement, leadership skills, and honors. While nearly 8,000 scholarships are available, those who become National Merit scholars and receive an award represent less than 1% of all entrants.  

Regardless of the outcome, the future is bright for these commended students and semifinalists. From medical school to computer science, music, and engineering, their ambitions reflect limitless potential and a lifelong passion for learning, leading, and serving wherever they’re planted.