17 Seniors Earn Distinctions in the National Merit Scholarship Program

Seven Friends Academy seniors have been named Semifinalists for National Merit Scholarships, a prestigious distinction that places them in the top 1% of high school seniors across the country based on their exceptional academic ability. In addition, 10 other Friends Academy seniors were named Commended Scholars for scoring in the top 3% nationally.

The 17 students who earned distinctions in the National Merit Scholarship Program account for 20% of all seniors in the Class of 2027 at Friends Academy.

The 72nd annual competition began with more than 1.2 million juniors from about 20,000 high schools taking the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The competition will conclude next spring with the naming of Merit Scholars.

“What these students have achieved, and how they’re being recognized for their outstanding aptitude, shows how well they are developing their critical-thinking skills,” says Edward Dugger, the Director of College Counseling at Friends Academy. “We prepare students well for tests like these at Friends, but at the same time, our focus is much greater than the exams. From the humanities to the sciences, our students are receiving an education that prepares them for all the rigors of college and to succeed throughout their lives.”

The seven Semifinalists from Friends Academy belong to a cohort of roughly 16,000 seniors in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. They now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million.

The seven Friends Academy Semifinalists are:

• Damian Balkcom ’27 (New Hyde Park)
• Isaiah Lee ’27 (Old Westbury)
• Stefan Pappas ’27 (Glen Head)
• Lisali Peiris ’27 (Levittown)
• Brady Wong ’27 (Oyster Bay)
• Julian Yang ’27 (Manhasset)
• Kevin Yu ’27 (Albertson)
  

Front row, l. to r., Brady Wong ’27 (Oyster Bay); Isaiah Lee ’27 (Old Westbury); Lisali Peiris ’27 (Levittown). Back row, l. to r., Stefan Pappas ’27 (Glen Head); Kevin Yu ’27 (Albertson); Julian Yang ’27 (Manhasset); Damian Balkcom ’27 (New Hyde Park).

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist round. About 95% of Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, with approximately half of those students earning the title of Merit Scholar.

In addition to the seven Semifinalists, 10 other Friends Academy seniors were named Commended Scholars for scoring in the top 3% of all students nationally.

The Friends Academy Commended Scholars are:

• Sharon Chen ’27 (Syosset)
• Christopher DeNatale ’27 (Bayville)
• Blake Doan ’27 (Halesite)
• Albert Jaworski ’27 (Manhasset)
• Thomas Kurita ’27 (Sea Cliff)
• Maggie Ma ’27 (Roslyn)
• Sydney Wang ’27 (Oyster Bay)
• Cecilia Yin ’27 (Little Neck)
• Anthony Yu ’27 (Glen Head)
• Aleena Zaidi ’27 (Roslyn Heights)

Front row, l. to r., Sydney Wang ’27 (Oyster Bay); Aleena Zaidi ’27 (Roslyn Heights); Blake Doan ’27 (Halesite); Anthony Yu ’27 (Glen Head); Albert Jaworski ’27 (Manhasset). Back row, l. to r., Maggie Ma ’27 (Roslyn); Sharon Chen ’27 (Syosset); Cecilia Yin ’27 (LiLle Neck); Christopher DeNatale ’27 (Bayville); Thomas Kurita ’27 (Sea Cliff).

Photos by Alvin Caal / Friends Academy