Four others named Commended Students
Montgomery High School senior Brody Grochett has been named a Semifinalist for the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Grochett is one of more than 16,000 high school seniors moving forward in the competition. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.
Semifinalists must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. From over 16,000 Semifinalists, about 95 percent are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation.
Additionally, Richard Orduna-Garcia from Montgomery High School and three Lake Creek High School students – Brett Harrington, Marshall Anderson and Keaton Anderson – have been named Commended Students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students across the nation who entered the 2025 National Merit competition by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) recognizes these students for their academic promise based on their PSAT/NMSQT scores. While Commended Scholars do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, their recognition places them in the top 3-4% of test-takers nationwide. This commendation is an academic achievement that can enhance college applications and open many doors for scholarship opportunities.
“We are incredibly proud of these students,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said. “Each of them have demonstrated excellence in a rigorous academic courseload, resulting in highly successful performances earning nationally recognized distinction. This achievement is a direct reflection of their hard work, and an incredibly proud moment for their families and the educators who have supported them throughout their academic journey. We are so honored to have students like them represent Montgomery ISD.”
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