Elite Eleven! 11 Milpitas HS students selected as 2024 National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

Eleven Milpitas High School students were recently selected as Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. They are among about 16,000 students nationwide in the 69th annual NMSP to earn the designation based on results from the Preliminary SAT exam. In February, these 11 students will be notified if they have advanced to Finalist standing, which then qualifies them for 7,140 scholarships worth nearly $28 million.

​Let’s find out a little about each of them:

Isaac Jones, age 17
What does being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist mean to you?
Standardized test-taking today has become less of a "snapshot" of one's aptitude and more of a permanent lifestyle, subtly practiced in everything the school system teaches us -- even as early as kindergarten. To me, being an NMSQT Semifinalist feels like a culmination of years of learning and dedication to our MUSD family.

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?
A lot of motivation certainly comes from friends. Our graduating class has lots of amazing people who encourage each other to do our best, both as friends and, for better or for worse, as competitors!

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
My favorite subject in school has always been math, on account of its natural beauty and the sheer amount of different fields that it's useful for. Even though I've transferred a lot of my interest over to mechatronics and aerospace engineering in the past year, every field always seems to be predicated on dozens of mathematical concepts. Math has a special place in my heart as an influential part of my identity growing up.

What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?
A challenging college in California (close to home and great climate) with lots of nature and spots to fly drones nearby! Stanford or Berkeley would be amazing, and failing that, probably Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

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Christine Wang, age 16
What does being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist mean to you?
I was really surprised when I realized that I was chosen to be a semifinalist! It honestly still feels unreal, but I am glad that my efforts were recognized, which boosts my self-confidence and motivates me to continue to work hard in the future.

What/Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?
I hold myself up to high standards if I want to succeed in something (go big or go home!), which motivates me to do the best I can. Of course, that would not be possible without the support of my parents, teachers, and friends. 

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
My favorite subject is Anatomy & Physiology. It is fascinating to analyze the complexity of different body systems and see how they cooperate to support life. I also could apply my love of art in this class, from crafting a working prosthetic hand to viewing the human body itself as art.

What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?
I would like to attend a liberal arts college that has a strong medical or biology program so I can explore various fields while pursuing my career. I would prefer to stay in California because I love the diversity, weather, and opportunities, though I am open to others as well.

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Andrew Ton, age 16
​What does being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist mean to you?
Being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist means that I have so much more to learn and achieve in life.
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What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?
Being able to master a skill that I had previously struggled with motivates me to succeed at a high level.

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
My favorite subject in school is anatomy and physiology because understanding the human body inside and out is one of the coolest skills imaginable.

What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?
I would like to attend either UC Davis or UC San Diego after graduating MHS because both schools give me countless opportunities to explore my interest in the medical field.

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Natasha Tiwari, age 17
What does being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist mean to you?
To me, being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist is a significant honor and a testament to my dedication to my academic pursuits. It not only validates the hard work and commitment I have put into my studies but also represents an opportunity to further my education. 

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?
My motivation to succeed comes from a combination of my intrinsic love for learning and my desire to make a positive impact in the world. I enjoy pushing my boundaries, allowing me to achieve at a high level. Additionally my parents have always instilled in me the value of education and the importance of hard work and perseverance.

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
My favorite subject is geology! Although it's technically not a subject that's taught in school, it's the one that brings me the most joy. I enjoy geology because it allows me to understand the processes that have shaped the Earth. It's like piecing together the Earth’s story, one rock at a time, and it helps me feel connected to our planet in a profound way.
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 What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?
After graduating MHS, I would like to attend a college with a strong emphasis on science and research, such as CalTech or Stanford University, although I'd be happy with any institutions that has a reputation for fostering innovation and a commitment to providing a diverse and challenging learning environment.

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Edward Cui, age 16
What does being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist mean to you?
As a semifinalist, I now have a chance to get a scholarship.

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?
My parents allow me to push myself, though money's my main motivation for my future.

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
I most enjoy history. It is incredibly fascinating to me that the past and present differ so much.
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What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?
​I'd love to attend the UCs or a certain CSU. California's great if you ignore the fires, and I'd much rather pay in state tuition.

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Keryssa Li, age 17
What does being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist mean to you?
Being a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist means I’ve been able to stay academically consistent. I believe I am where I am today thanks to my solid academic foundations (and a sprinkle of luck). I’m very grateful for this opportunity to build upon those foundations.

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?
​My family has always been very supportive of all my endeavors. With the encouragement and freedom they’ve given me, I’ve been able to pursue my own ambitions without fear of disappointing them. Additionally, I’m thankful to my friends for putting up with me. (My (healthy !!) competitive streak also helps.)

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
I’ve always loved the logical nature of mathematics and how there’s a clear right or wrong answer. Naturally, my favorite subject in school is math, specifically calculus. Math can be applied to so many other subjects as well, making it an excellent foundational tool.

What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?
I have three main needs for my future college: ample resources, nice weather, and good food (very important). I do love living in California, so I hope to stay in-state and go to a top school here. Colleges with strong STEM programs are the goal.

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Roman Silivra, age 16
What does being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist mean to you?
To me, being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist means that my hard work has been recognized, and that I can handle whatever challenges life throws at me. Being awarded this honor encourages me to keep on doing my best, and making my family proud.

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?
Ultimately, I am motivated to succeed by my parents and peers. My parents have always encouraged me and told me that I can succeed at the highest levels, and my peers and I always engage in constructive, friendly competition to be the best possible versions of ourselves.

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
My favorite subject in school would have to be physics, because there are just so many interesting things that you learn that really help explain why the world works the way that it does.

What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?
I am not sure what college I would like to attend after graduating from MHS; I have toured and looked into a number of colleges, and it is difficult to choose between so many appealing schools.

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Savan Bollu, age 17
What does being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist mean to you?
I was thrilled that I was able to perform well on the PSAT and receive this recognition. I look forward to the next steps in the application process to showcase myself as an individual and hopefully become a scholarship recipient. 

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?
I'm motivated by the knowledge I gain and the curiosity I satisfy as I challenge myself. Beyond that, my peers are doing amazing things within the community, which constantly inspires me. My parents and teachers are also a huge motivation because they offer support and acknowledge my hard work. 

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
My favorite subject is math because I absolutely love problem-solving, exploring concepts, and coming out of my exploration feeling like I could have derived the whole field of calculus by myself (or at least the basic formulas). Journalism and my other STEM classes (AP Chemistry, etc) are favorites as well. 

What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?
I'm open to exploring my options for college (hopefully within California), and I'd like to attend somewhere with amazing faculty and strong bioengineering, pre-med, and policy programs.

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Brandon Chiang, age 17
What does being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist mean to you?
Being named a semifinalist gives me a sense of affirmation for my hard work in the past few years. This also motivates me to continue working hard in the future.

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?
My parents motivate me the most as they have always encouraged me to try my best at every single opportunity.

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
My favorite subject in school is physics because physics principles can be applied in many aspects of our lives.
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What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?
After graduation, I would like to attend one of the UC's because it is fairly close to home.

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Angie Wang, age 17
​What does being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist mean to you?
Being named a Semifinalist feels like a recognition of my work and time put toward academics. I am proud of my effort and dedication, and very thankful for the support of my parents, teachers, and peers.

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?
I like to challenge myself to perform to the best of my abilities, and much of what I do comes from personal motivation. My results come from wanting to prove to myself what I can achieve, and I find fulfillment in knowing I have given my best effort.

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
My favorite subject is physics because of how it applies to almost every aspect of our surroundings. I find it really interesting to learn the principles behind physical interactions and use it to better understand the things I see on a daily basis.

What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?
Probably a UC school because I like the weather in California!

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Kevin Ting, age 17
What does being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist mean to you?
Being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist feels great. I’m proud that I get to be among this roster of very talented students.

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?
A lot of things motivate me, like my parents and my peers. But specifically, I want to have a lot of options in the future, as I’m still not quite sure what I want to do with my life.

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
My favorite subject in school is probably math or the social sciences. Math is straightforward and is not often abstract, which makes it easier for me to understand. But social studies are the subjects that I feel is most applicable to my own life, so I find a lot of value in it as well.  

What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?
I would like to attend a good college in general, but I'd like to go to a school in California.

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