Milpitas Unified School District

Four Milpitas HS students were among the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. These high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. They are:

Charles Bi, 17

What does being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist mean to you?

I see it as me making the most out of the opportunities I have had. Not many people have the privilege to take the PSAT or have the time or resources to prepare for it. I'm very fortunate that I did, and I didn't want that to go to waste, so I aimed the highest I could, and was named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist in the end.
 

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?

My friends and family, moreso my mom because of how much she's done for my success. I want to make it in life so she can rest easy knowing her efforts paid off.
 

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?

Physics and Mathematics because I believe they pertain the most to the world around me; they're two very broad fields of study that appear in so many other different areas, and that means the knowledge I've gained in those subjects will carry me very far.

 

What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?

Right now, I'm very interested in computer engineering, materials science and engineering, and applied math, and I know that UCLA has done awesome work in those areas, so I'd love to be there and major in any one of those fields.

 

Natalie Chen, 17
What does being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist mean to you?

To me, being a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist means that I am a student who scored higher on the PSAT than some of the other students in the United States.

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?

My fear of failure and my thirst for validation both motivate me to exert myself academically. I am also motivated by Batman.

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?

My favorite subject is English, because I enjoy writing.

What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?

I would like to attend Northwestern University, because it has one of the best journalism programs in the country.

 

Dylan Nguyen, 17
What does being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist mean to you?
Being a National Merit Semifinalist is such a huge boost of confidence for me. I feel proud of myself and all the dedication I put into achieving this.

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?
My parents motivate me to succeed. They push me to improve every day, to learn, to succeed. I gained a work ethic that’s been essential whenever I start to lose motivation.

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
My favorite subject in school is physics because I find the concepts so applicable. I’m able to see the world around me through a more nuanced lens.

What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?
I would like to attend Brown University because of their Open Curriculum. I also want to explore the East Coast. I look forward to my four years of college where I get to discover more of myself.

 

Justin Shen, 17

What does being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist mean to you? 

I think being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist is a great honor because it is a reflection of all the hard work I've put in throughout my years in high school. It feels rewarding to see my achievement be recognized at a national level, but I know that I still have a lot more to improve on.
 

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?

I think my competitive nature is what really drives me to try and do better than the next person. I've also always pushed myself to do better than I did before, even outside of academics.
 

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?

My favorite subject in school is either physics or math. I'm deeply intrigued by the world we live in, and through my AP Physics class with Ms. Downum and AP Calculus BC class with Ms. Nguyen, I can see how the world could be modeled with math and science, and I think it's really cool.
 

What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?

I’d really like to go to UC Berkeley after high school. It’s obviously a top school, but what excites me most is being surrounded by motivated students. Plus, it’s close to home, so I could stay connected to my family while still having a great new experience.