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Midland ISD Announces Two National Merit Semifinalists

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The image features two students, Gabriel Stromberg and Jillian Bejil, who have been recognized as National Merit Semi-Finalists by the MISD (Mansfield Independent School District). The background includes the MISD logo and the text "National Merit Semi-Finalists" along with the IHS (Interscholastic) and Young Women's Leadership Academy logos.
Midland ISD Announces Two National Merit Semifinalists

Midland ISD Announces Two National Merit Semifinalists

District celebrates continued academic success

September 10, 2025 — Midland ISD is proud to announce that two students have been named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists in the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program. This recognition places them among the top academic achievers not only in Texas but also across the nation.

The Midland ISD honorees are:

  • Gabriel Stromberg, Legacy Senior High School
  • Jillian Bejil, Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Gabriel Stromberg

LHS

Jillian Bejil

YWLA

"We are incredibly proud of both of our students for representing Midland ISD on a national level,” said Midland ISD Superintendent, Dr. Stephanie Howard. “To be named a National Merit Semifinalist is one of the highest academic honors a high school student can earn, and it reflects the hard work of our students and strength of our advanced coursework."

 

Each year, approximately 1.3 million juniors across the country enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Of those, only about 16,000 students nationwide are named Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. In Texas, competition is especially rigorous given the state’s large student population and high academic standards.

 

Semifinalists now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for an estimated 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be awarded in the spring of 2026. To advance to Finalist standing, students must submit an application highlighting their academic record, leadership, employment, and extracurricular activities, along with an outstanding academic recommendation and confirming SAT or ACT scores.

MISD will recognize these semifinalists at the November 4 District Recognition Event at Bowie Fine Arts Academy at 6:30 p.m. Semifinalists are the only students eligible to become a Finalist and Scholar. Finalists will be announced in February, and scholarship winners will be named beginning in the spring.

 

Commended Student announcements will be announced by the end of September.

 

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