Five Highlands Latin Seniors Honored By The National Merit Scholarship Program

Highlands Latin School is thrilled to announce that five HLS seniors were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for their impressive performance on the 2019 Preliminary SAT. 

national merit scholars

This year’s Semifinalists are Emily Steinbach and Judah Murdoch, in addition to Daniel Young, Jacob Fox, and Matt LePrell, who were named Commended Students.  

According to a National Merit Program press release, the nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of the 1.5 million highschool juniors who took the test in 2019. To become a Finalist, a Semifinalist and his or her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application providing information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. From the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. 

All five seniors were in agreement that the classical education provided by HLS has prepared them well for success both in and out of the classroom. 

“My years of classical education at HLS taught me so much, not only in content but also in the quality of teaching,” Steinbach remarked, “Not only did I learn about other people’s lives but also how to live my own life.” 

Murdoch echoed this sentiment, and noted that the focus on classical education taught him “that words are the only things worth fighting for since they are the only things that hold meaning.” 

While they will not be continuing on with the National Merit Scholarship competition, Commended students Young, Fox, and LePrell are being honored for placing among the top 50,000 scorers in the 2019 Preliminary SAT. 

Commenting on how HLS prepared him for his present and future successes, Young held that HLS “instilled perseverance in me to not settle for anything but the best.” 

“HLS has given me a love for learning what is True,” Fox said, “and for that I am forever grateful.” 

Congratulations and godspeed to this year’s Semifinalists and Commended Students!


The Highlands Latin Application deadline is Wednesday, February 10. To be considered for first round admission, please submit your child’s application before the deadline.

Skip to content