Lemont's Academic Stars Shine Brightly: Four Seniors Earn National Merit Commended Status

It’s always a fantastic feeling to see local talent recognized on a national stage, isn't it? Well, Lemont High School is absolutely bursting with pride as four of its outstanding seniors from the Class of 2027 have been named National Merit Commended Students. This is truly a testament to their hard work, dedication, and exceptional academic prowess. We’re talking about Adam Dunkin, Benjamin Petri, Ishan Samani, and Haley Young – names you’ll certainly want to remember.

This prestigious recognition isn't just handed out; it’s earned through some serious intellectual heavy lifting. These brilliant students achieved this honor based on their phenomenal performance on the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, better known as the PSAT/NMSQT. They sat for this rigorous exam back in October of 2025, and their scores truly set them apart from the crowd.

To put their achievement into perspective, consider this: more than 1.2 million high school juniors across the entire U.S. took the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2025. Out of that massive pool, roughly 34,000 students are designated as Commended Students nationally. It’s a highly selective group, indicating extraordinary academic potential. While approximately 16,000 students go on to become National Merit Scholar Semifinalists, being a Commended Student still places these individuals firmly among the top five percent of all U.S. students from the Class of 2027 who took the test. That’s really quite something, don't you think?

So, a huge congratulations is in order for Adam Dunkin, Benjamin Petri, Ishan Samani, and Haley Young! Their accomplishment not only highlights their individual brilliance but also reflects wonderfully on Lemont High School and our entire community. We can’t wait to see the incredible things they’ll go on to achieve in their future endeavors.