A North Shore Finalist in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship® Program

Director of Counseling, Mr. Dan Doherty, and HS Counselor, Mr. Tim Shea, of North Shore High School, proudly announced that Joanna Kim was named a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. The winners will be announced later this month.

In September, Joanna was selected as a Semifinalist based on her skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in her rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, the nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest scoring entrants in each state. About 95% of the Semifinalists gain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

Principal Contreras remarked, "We are proud of Joanna on her terrific accomplishment. She is a stellar member of our North Shore community. She is intellectually driven, a talented musician, and a multilingual leader who brings out the best among those around her. She has been admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the fall! We celebrate her recognition as a National Merit Finalist.”

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. It 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 440 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.

Go Vikings Go!

Photo Caption: Article revised and photos by Shelly Newman. Information provided by the National Merit National Merit® Scholarship Program