It is with immense pride and heartfelt congratulations that we recognize Ellis Retzer, Alma Wallace, and Ellis Wood for being named Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. We have had the privilege of knowing these students throughout their high school years at Deering, and we have been consistently impressed by them. Their interests extend far beyond the classroom, as they have shown remarkable leadership and passion in their involvement with various school activities, including cross country, tennis, Science Olympiad, Debate, Model UN, Drama, and Key Club. Watching their growth and seeing them achieve this significant milestone is a true joy, and we are excited to see the positive impact they will undoubtedly make in their future endeavors.

This is a tremendous honor, as our students are part of an elite group of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists nationwide, representing less than one percent of all U.S. high school seniors. They represent 3 of the 58 seniors in Maine and the only students in Portland Public Schools. These high-scoring students now have the opportunity to compete for 6,930 National Merit Scholarships. The program's rigorous selection process requires students to submit a detailed application, maintain an outstanding academic record, write an essay, and earn impressive SAT or ACT scores. We are honored to have them as members of the Deering High School community and wish them all the best as they continue in the competition.

You can read more about the program here: https://www.portlandschools.org/calendars/news/~board/district-school-news/post/dhs-students-national-merit-semifinalists