Seven Potomac National Merit Semifinalists Named
Seven Potomac National Merit Semifinalists Named
![2027 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1790258772/potomac/edp7u7jn6y6nkby47hvd/NationalMeritSemifinalists-2027.png","width":0}])
Seven seniors have been selected as semifinalists for the 2027 National Merit® Scholarship Program: Santiago C., Jacob J., Josh R., Grady R., Cait T., Aden T., and Helena Z.
These students were all among the top scorers in Virginia on the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which is used for initial screening. The highest-scoring students in each state are selected as semifinalists, with each state’s representation proportional to its percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.
More than 1.2 million juniors in about 20,000 high schools took the PSAT. The semifinalists represent less than 1% of the nation’s high school seniors. Semifinalists can continue in the competition for approximately 6,700 National Merit Scholarships, worth nearly $24 million in total, that will be awarded next spring.
Pictured (l to r): Santiago C., Jacob J., Josh R., Grady R., Cait T., Helena Z., and Aden T.
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Seven seniors have been selected as semifinalists for the 2027 National Merit® Scholarship Program. Congratulations to Santiago Cangahuala, Jacob Jackson, Josh Reinecke, Grady Robbins, Cait Toop, Aden Travers, and Helena Zhai on this incredible achievement!
These students were all among the top scorers in Virginia on the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which is used for initial screening. The highest-scoring students in each state are selected as semifinalists, with each state’s representation proportional to its percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.
More than 1.2 million juniors in about 20,000 high schools took the PSAT. The semifinalists represent less than 1% of the nation’s high school seniors. Semifinalists can continue in the competition for approximately 6,700 National Merit Scholarships, worth nearly $24 million in total, that will be awarded next spring.
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The Potomac School honored Ms. Laura Petro, Upper School science teacher, and Mr. Steve Wolfe, Middle School science teacher, with the 2026 Bill Cook Award for Excellent Teaching during the school’s Opening Assembly on September 11.
![Aaliyah-Majeed-Hall]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1789479173/potomac/oum9ymwjslwy9qtnvgag/Aaliyah-Majeed-Hall.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1789479173/potomac/oum9ymwjslwy9qtnvgag/Aaliyah-Majeed-Hall.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1789479173/potomac/oum9ymwjslwy9qtnvgag/Aaliyah-Majeed-Hall.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1789479173/potomac/oum9ymwjslwy9qtnvgag/Aaliyah-Majeed-Hall.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1789479173/potomac/oum9ymwjslwy9qtnvgag/Aaliyah-Majeed-Hall.jpg","width":1536}])
Arlington Magazine recently named Aliyah Majeed-Hall ’26 as one of their 10 “Extraordinary Teens” for 2026.
![Potomac Honors Beacon House Founder with Award for Exemplary Service]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1768765784/potomac/iccbxktyidoua6oj2hjq/ExemplarService_ReverendRobinson.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1768765784/potomac/iccbxktyidoua6oj2hjq/ExemplarService_ReverendRobinson.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1768765784/potomac/iccbxktyidoua6oj2hjq/ExemplarService_ReverendRobinson.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1768765784/potomac/iccbxktyidoua6oj2hjq/ExemplarService_ReverendRobinson.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1768765784/potomac/iccbxktyidoua6oj2hjq/ExemplarService_ReverendRobinson.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1768765784/potomac/iccbxktyidoua6oj2hjq/ExemplarService_ReverendRobinson.jpg","width":2200}])
On January 16, The Potomac School announced the recipient of its annual Award for Exemplary Service, which recognizes individuals in the wider community who are making an important difference through service to others. Reverend Donald E. Robinson, Founder of Beacon House and a lifelong advocate for children, families, and community, received the award during a school-wide assembly honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
![Two Potomac Seniors Named to Regeneron Top 300]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1768416009/potomac/k28qypvdjmuyksvpvxpc/RegeneronTop300_2026.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1768416009/potomac/k28qypvdjmuyksvpvxpc/RegeneronTop300_2026.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1768416009/potomac/k28qypvdjmuyksvpvxpc/RegeneronTop300_2026.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1768416009/potomac/k28qypvdjmuyksvpvxpc/RegeneronTop300_2026.png","width":1080}])
Potomac seniors have been named Top 300 Scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2026, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and mathematics competition for high school seniors.
![Two Recipients Honored with Generosity of Spirit Award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764541060/potomac/emkh8ehxucchvswcb4sh/GenerosityofSpirit2025.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764541060/potomac/emkh8ehxucchvswcb4sh/GenerosityofSpirit2025.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1764541060/potomac/emkh8ehxucchvswcb4sh/GenerosityofSpirit2025.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1764541060/potomac/emkh8ehxucchvswcb4sh/GenerosityofSpirit2025.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1764541060/potomac/emkh8ehxucchvswcb4sh/GenerosityofSpirit2025.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1764541060/potomac/emkh8ehxucchvswcb4sh/GenerosityofSpirit2025.jpg","width":2200}])
Congratulations to Mr. Cunningham and Ms. Webster on receiving the 2025 Generosity of Spirit Award.