Sierra Lutheran High School Nathan Tack, of Sierra Lutheran High School, has been named a semifinalist in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. He is among more than 16,000 scholars nationwide who will continue to compete for $26 million in college scholarships to be awarded next spring. Morgan de la Torre was named Commended Student. Nathan and Morgan are among more than 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools nationwide who entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screening of program entrants. A nationwide pool of semifinalists — representing less than one percent of high school seniors in the United States — includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. “Education is the best tool that we have to inspire our youth. Having a student that has been named a Semifinalist, as well as one that is a Commended Student, as part of the National Merit Scholarship Program is truly a testament to Sierra Lutheran’s Vision to provide students with the highest quality education, in a Christian environment, which nurtures faith and equips students to excel by using their gifts and talents to God’s glory,” Kimberly Estee, College and Career Counselor stated. “Nathan Tack achieved National Merit Semifinalist status, distinguishing himself among the best and brightest.” To become a finalist and move forward in the scholarship competition, semifinalists must submit a detailed scholarship application with information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. Each semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. Nathan Tack is on track to be a strong competitive applicant. Based upon these submissions, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation will choose approximately 15,000 finalists who will be notified of their selection in February 2025. These finalists will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit Scholarships ($2,500), about 770 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships and some 3,600 college-sponsored Merit Scholarships for finalists who will attend the sponsor institution. About Sierra Lutheran High School Sierra Lutheran High is a Christian School that is directed by the word of God and welcomes all students. The SLHS Association, churches, board and staff dedicate themselves to providing a personalized and impactful learning experience that challenges students to use their many God given gifts and talents. Our students are expected to become productive, literate, and faithful citizens in the world in which God has placed them. Sierra Lutheran endeavors to provide students with the highest quality education, with the purpose of preparing students for today, tomorrow, and eternity.