Local students named semifinalists in National Merit Scholarship Program
The School District of Lee County announced that five students are semifinalists — which represent less than 1% of all high school seniors — in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program.
The Lee County semifinalists are:
• Cape Coral High School: William Hart
William Hart
• Estero High School: Philip Walczak
Philip Walczak
• Fort Myers High School: Asher Frey and Austen Summy
Asher Frey
Austen Summy
• Mariner High School: Agustin Calderon
Agustin Calderon
Agustin plans to study aerospace engineering at MIT. He enjoys physics and chemistry, with a strong focus on quantum mechanics.
“Agustin is one of the most brilliant students I have ever taught. In ninth grade, he took AP European History with a class full of seniors and was the only student to score a 5 on the college board exam,” said Mariner High teacher Randall Cook. “He is always reading the most challenging work of intellectual scholarship.”
William is on track to graduate with his International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. He plans to study biology and chemistry at either MIT or Duke University.
“William is a dedicated scholar in our IB Diploma Program who thrives on academic challenges, while remaining deeply committed to supporting his peers,” said Cape High teacher Katelyn Uhler. “This honor is well deserved, and we are thrilled to see the impact he will make in the future.”
Austen is on track to graduate with an IB diploma next year. He plans to study philosophy or economics before attending law school.
Asher plans to pursue a degree in genetics, with an emphasis on laboratory research and experimentation. He is on track to graduate with an IB diploma next year.
Philip earned his Cambridge diploma with merit and is currently dual-enrolled at Florida Gulf Coast University. He plans to pursue aerospace engineering at either MIT or Purdue University.
Of the over 1.2 million juniors in about 20,000 high schools who entered the 72nd annual program, more than 16,000 were named semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. They have the opportunity to continue in the competition for about 6,700 National Merit Scholarships awarded in the spring worth approximately $24 million.
To be considered, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. Approximately 95% are expected to attain finalist standing and about half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.