Alamogordo Public Schools (APS) is proud to announce that Alamogordo High School (AHS) senior Jayson Coleman has been named a Semifinalist in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. This recognition places Coleman among the nation's academic elite, representing less than one percent of the 1.3 million juniors who entered the competition by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
Coleman is one of more than 16,000 academically talented high school seniors nationwide who have earned the opportunity to compete for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million. To advance to the Finalist level of the competition, Jayson and an AHS official must submit a detailed application highlighting his outstanding academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership abilities, and an essay.
"I was pretty excited when I found out, and I'm eager to continue the process to become a Finalist," said Jayson Coleman. "Earning a scholarship will be key to pursuing my goal of studying computer science. I'm thankful for all my teachers who have helped me along the way."
Coleman, an Alamogordo resident since kindergarten, excels particularly in mathematics, his favorite subject, and is highly active in the local robotics community as a member of the ASTRO Vikings team. He credits consistent hard work and paying attention in class, along with utilizing free online resources for test preparation, as key factors in his success.
AHS Principal, April Shay, shared, “Jayson is set to finish high school at the top of his class with a substantial amount of college credits, and I feel this quote by Thomas Jefferson represents him. ‘I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.’ Jayson likes to learn for the sake of learning; he devours knowledge!”
“Over the past three years, as both his teacher and robotics coach, I have been consistently impressed by Jayson Coleman’s intellectual curiosity, perseverance, quiet determination, and leadership. He combines analytical precision with creativity, approaching every challenge, whether in the classroom or on the robotics field, with integrity and purpose. Jayson embodies what it means to be a FIRST robotics student, understanding that Gracious Professionalism is more than a core value; it is a lifestyle. 1 His recognition as a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist is a reflection of his passion for learning and commitment to excellence,” shared Dr. Sarah Cerra.
As Jayson Coleman continues his senior year, he represents the pinnacle of academic achievement at Alamogordo High School. With approximately 95 percent of Semifinalists expected to reach the Finalist level, the entire AHS community eagerly anticipates the final results. National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced nationwide in spring 2026.
PDF Press Release: https://5il.co/3qw9d