The National Merit Scholarship Program is one of the most prestigious academic competitions in the United States. To qualify for this program, students must undertake the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) during their Junior year of high school.
Out of all the high school seniors nationwide who take this test, only a select few achieve the distinction of becoming Semifinalists.

These students represent less than one percent of high school seniors in the United States and are recognized as the highest-scoring participants.
Becoming a National Merit Scholarship Finalist is a remarkable accomplishment in itself. Finalists can compete for one of the 7,250 National Merit Scholarships, collectively valued at almost $28 million. To attain this status, students must complete a comprehensive scholarship application, maintain an exemplary academic record throughout their high school years, garner the endorsement and recommendation of a high school official, craft a compelling essay, and secure SAT or ACT scores that validate their earlier performance on the qualifying test.

Niceville High School should be immensely proud to have three students achieve this remarkable distinction. Kira Tuper, Aurora Mendenhall, and Brody Plaiser have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their academic pursuits and have been recognized at the national level for their outstanding achievements.

Only one other school in Okaloosa County, Fort Walton Beach High School, had National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.

Superintendent Chambers expressed his admiration for these exceptional students, stating, “I am extremely proud of these students and their efforts to earn this Scholarship. It is not an easy process, and those who are recognized at any level for their academic excellence deserve it.”

The Niceville community joins in celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of these students and wishes them continued success as they pursue their academic journeys. These scholars serve as an inspiration to their peers and a testament to the dedication and commitment to excellence nurtured within the Niceville educational system.