Rye High School seniors Zachary Choo and Vlad Moscaliuc have been named semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program, earning recognition among a select group of academically accomplished students from across the country.
More than 1.2 million high school juniors from approximately 20,000 high schools entered the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. More than 16,000 students nationwide advanced to the semifinalist stage, representing less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors.
As semifinalists, Choo and Moscaliuc now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million that will be offered in the spring. More than 15,000 semifinalists are expected to advance to finalist standing, with finalists selected through an application process that considers their academic records, school and community involvement, leadership, honors and other accomplishments.
The district said in a statement that “(the) students’ achievement reflects their dedication to academic excellence and embodies the spirit of The Rye Commitment, which encourages students to think critically, pursue meaningful learning experiences and continue growing as learners and members of their communities.”
