North Idaho students named National Merit semifinalists
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | September 24, 2025 1:05 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — Several outstanding Kootenai County students are Merit Scholarship semifinalists.
The National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes high school seniors who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
Liliana Hernandez is Lakeland High School’s semifinalist.
North Idaho STEM Charter Academy boasts two semifinalists, Konner Knoll and Cohen MacLeod.
“We are so proud of Cohen and Konner being named as National Merit semifinalists,” said Deb Pence, director of secondary programs for North Idaho STEM Charter Academy. “It is an incredible honor that they have worked very hard to earn.”
Coeur d’Alene High School Principal Victoria Beecher praised semifinalists Alexander Esposito and Ava Gabbert for their academic success and their hard work.
“Ava and Alexander truly embody the Viking tradition of academic excellence,” Beecher said. “Their achievements reflect the dedication of our educators, the support of their families, and the strong culture of learning at Coeur d’Alene High School. We could not be prouder and we look forward to cheering them on as they advance in this prestigious competition.”
Three Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy students are semifinalists: Hayden Ellison, Erin Griffith and Joseph Nicklay.
Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy Principal Dan Nicklay, who is Joseph Nicklay’s father, said all three semifinalists are strong students.
“These are really high-performing kids,” said Nicklay. “They’re going to do amazing things.”
The eight North Idaho semifinalists are among 16,000 across the country. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than 1% of high school seniors in the U.S., includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.
Finalists must have outstanding academic records throughout high school, receive recommendations from school administrators, write an essay and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.
More than 15,000 semifinalists are expected to advance to the final level. Merit Scholar designees are selected based on their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in college studies.
MacLeod
Gabbert
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