During a recent government meeting, the high school principal, Mr. Hellonia, recognized six exceptional students from Ward Meld for their achievements as semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Competition. This prestigious recognition is awarded to only 16,000 students nationwide, representing less than 1% of high school seniors, highlighting the significant accomplishment of these individuals.

The students honored include Katie Young, Alexander Singer, Sean Skinner, Alexander Song, Michael Way, and Amy Yang. Mr. Hellonia emphasized the competitive nature of the scholarship, noting that the students will need to complete additional application materials to advance in the selection process for the approximately 6,910 merit scholarship awards available this year.

The meeting, which began with an apology for tardiness and a brief adjustment to the agenda due to the absence of a student representative, showcased the district's commitment to celebrating academic excellence. The principal encouraged attendees to applaud the students as they received their certificates, reinforcing the community's support for their achievements. The event concluded with a group photo to commemorate the occasion.