News : Dooley Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist

Vinton-Shellsburg High School is proud to announce that Trey Dooley, a senior at Vinton-Shellsburg High School, has been named a Semifinalist in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, a prestigious academic recognition awarded to fewer than 1% of high school seniors nationwide.

The National Merit Scholarship Program, conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), recognizes outstanding academic achievement among U.S. high school students. Of the approximately 1.5 million students who entered the program by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), only about 16,000 were named Semifinalists.

Trey now has the opportunity to compete for more than 7,000 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million, to be awarded in spring 2026. Finalists will be announced in February 2026.

“Trey exemplifies the excellence, dedication, and intellectual curiosity we encourage at Vinton-Shellsburg. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and look forward to seeing all that he will accomplish in the future.” said V-S Principal Matt Kingsbury.

Semifinalists are selected based on their academic record, PSAT/NMSQT scores, extracurricular involvement, leadership roles, and a recommendation from a school official. Finalists must submit a detailed scholarship application that includes an essay and information about their accomplishments.