Congratulations to Bryan High School senior Christian Garcia-Sanchez, who was named a National Merit Semifinalist this week.
The semifinalists this year represent less than 1% of all high school seniors in the United States, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s announcement states.
According to the press release, more than 1.3 million high school juniors who entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 PSAT or the National Merit Qualifying Test (NMSQT), just 16,000 were named a National Merit Semifinalist.
Garcia-Sanchez said he had always heard the title, but never imagined actually being included in the list.
“It just feels so surreal,” he said. “I’ve always seen it, dreamed of getting to this level, but it just doesn’t feel real.”
He said he just had to try his hardest to prepare and then do the best he could, saying he believes it is important to balance studying and enjoying high school.
“A lot of people put too much pressure into it,” he said. “... It’s good to study, but you shouldn’t overwork yourself. You should let yourself be a kid.”
At Bryan High, Garcia-Sanchez is part of the National Honor Society and volunteers at the school and in the community with the group. He is also pursuing his International Baccalaureate diploma. He was part of the Bryan High School band for three years, but chose to step away this year to focus on completing the IB program requirements.
As a semifinalist, Garcia-Sanchez is already eligible for scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, but he is working to complete the steps to become a National Merit Finalist.
Among the requirements to become a finalist, he must submit a detailed application, an essay and letters of recommendations.
According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation press release, it is expected that 15,000 of the 16,000 semifinalists will advance to become finalists.
“Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies,” the press release states.
Garcia-Sanchez comes from a first-generation college family with his mom attending but not graduating from college and said he is very proud of achieving such an accomplishment.
“I just want to thank my parents for all the support they’ve given me,” he said. “They work so hard for me to succeed, and I want to succeed for them so that they won’t have to work so hard later in life.”
He has not decided where he will be attending college, but is considering either Texas A&M University or the University of Texas to study chemical engineering.
Children First. Always.