Congratulations to our PSAT teachers Mrs. Farmer, Mrs. Neel, and Mrs. Sullinger and to our HHS Class of 2026 National Merit Semifinalists. We have 14 National Merit Semifinalists this year and that is the largest number ever by Hernando High School and the DeSoto County Schools District. These students work for an entire year (summer and some Saturdays included) in preparation for this one test. They wait for almost another year to find out the results.
UPDATE: These students were recognized and celebrated last Friday Night (10/17/2025) prior to the start of the football game. Congratulations! Way-to-GO-TIGERS! WE ARE PROUD OF YOU.
HHS Class of 2026 National Merit Semifinalists:
Isaac Jones
Cailyn Pitts
Maggie McCraw
Michelle Gibson
Arianna Tomlin
Kayla Popp
Emerson Sorrells
Hayden Polk
Keagan Merrill
Carmen Bestman
Hayden Holmes
Jordan Van Every
Christian Vita
Thomas Smith
A word from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation:
"These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. To compete for National Merit Scholarships, Semifinalists must advance to the Finalist level of the competition by fulfilling several additional requirements. A Semifinalist can become a Finalist and compete for a Merit Scholarship award in only one program year. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title." - https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/blog.aspx?pgid=2089&gid=2&cid=1381