Midland ISD Honors Nine National Merit Commended Students

Largest number of National Merit Qualifiers since the Class of 2009

September 23, 2025– Midland ISD is proud to announce that nine students from across the district have been named National Merit Commended Students by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. This distinction represents the highest number of Midland ISD National Merit qualifiers since the Class of 2009.

The honored students represent four campuses: Legacy High School, Midland High School, Early College High School, and Young Women’s Leadership Academy.

Olivia Lee, Legacy High School

Abigail Van Husen, Legacy High School

Noah Lopez, Midland High School

Brinda Potluri, Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Lauren Ramos, Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Armeen Hameed, Early College High School

Walker Colson, Early College High School

Luther Mbakwa, Early College High School

Keil Mioduchowski, Early College High School

These nine Commended Students join the two National Merit Semifinalists announced earlier this month, making this year one of the most successful in recent district history.

To achieve Commended status, students must score among the top 50,000 of more than 1.5 million juniors nationwide who took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Fewer than 3% of all test-takers earn this recognition, making it a significant academic accomplishment.

“Earning Commended recognition in the National Merit program is a huge accomplishment," said Kathleen Cook, Advanced Academics Coordinator. “We are incredibly proud of these students for their hard work, determination, and academic excellence. They serve as role models for their peers and represent Midland ISD’s commitment to high achievement.”

While Commended Students do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, their outstanding performance places them among the country’s top academic achievers. MISD will recognize these students at the November 4 District Recognition Event at Bowie Fine Arts Academy at 6:30 p.m. 

For more information on the National Merit Scholarship Program, visit www.nationalmerit.org.

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Media Contact:

Jasmine Huerta

Communications Specialist

jasmine.huerta@midlandisd.net

All students will graduate college, career, or military ready.

Midland ISD | 615 W. Missouri Avenue | Midland, TX 79701 US