Jamesville-DeWitt High School senior Peter Drew has been named a Semifinalist in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program Competition! Peter’s mother, Anna Cabral Drew, is a J-DHS math teacher. She was given the honor of presenting him with the award letter on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
“I am very proud of Peter. He enjoys school and works hard in all of his classes. He loves challenging himself and learning new things,” said Anna. Peter shared similar sentiments thanking his teachers for encouraging his love of learning.
Being named a Semifinalist is no easy feat! The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) entrants in each state. Those at J-DHS are not surprised to see Peter advance in the competition.
“Peter has demonstrated exceptional leadership in and out of the classroom by leading tours of new students, alumni, and as an athlete. He is a great ambassador of J-D and a model of our commitment to excellence,“ said J-D High School Principal Gregory Lawson.
Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. More than 15,000 Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, which will be announced in February. The final National Merit Scholarship awards totaling over $26 million will be announced in the Spring.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 400 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.
Congratulations Peter on this academic achievement!