Left to right: Willa Halfhill, Amos Spector, Linnea Arnell-Liu, and Ishika Motwani
BETTENDORF, IOWA (September 16, 2026) — Bettendorf High School seniors Linnea Arnell-Liu, Willa Halfhill, Ishika Motwani, and Amos Spector have been named Semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. This prestigious recognition gives the four students the opportunity to continue in the competition as they pursue Finalist standing and consideration for a National Merit Scholarship.
“BHS prides itself on providing a rigorous curriculum with clear learning outcomes. Our staff creates engaging learning experiences and offers a wide range of courses, including honors and advanced placement opportunities, that challenge students to reach their highest potential,” said Principal Kristy Cleppe.
“We are immensely proud of these four students, as well as the teachers who have supported and prepared them along the way. Their achievement exemplifies a strong commitment to learning, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence.”
To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, Semifinalists must meet several requirements to advance to Finalist standing. Approximately ninety percent of Semifinalists are expected to become Finalists, and about half of the Finalists will be selected to receive Merit Scholarship awards and earn the title of Merit Scholar®.
Established in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is a not-for-profit organization that conducts the annual National Merit Scholarship Program without government assistance. Scholarships awarded through the program are supported by NMSC’s own funds, as well as approximately 500 business organizations and higher-education institutions that share NMSC’s commitment to recognizing the nation’s outstanding students and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.
Competition Steps
Approximately 1.2 million juniors in nearly 20,000 high schools entered the 2027 National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide semifinalists represent less than one percent of US high school seniors and include the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the total number of graduating seniors in the nation.
To become a Finalist, a Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier qualifying test performance. The Semifinalist and a school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, which includes the student’s self-descriptive essay and information about the Semifinalist’s participation and leadership in school and community activities.
