7 Amarillo ISD seniors earn National Merit Scholar Honors

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — Officials of the National Merit Scholarship announced seven Amarillo ISD seniors have earned the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program Honors.

Officials note that Amarillo High School senior Jason Vo earned the National Merit Semifinalist distinction. Semifinalists represent less than one percent of high school seniors, including the highest score earners on the PSAT test in each state. Vo will continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million, which will be offered next spring.

Six other Amarillo and Tascosa High School seniors earned the National Merit Commended Scholar designation.

• 2025 National Merit Commended Scholars:
• Amarillo High School
• Lancer Dykhouse
• Elizabeth Griffin
• Elizabeth Lewis
• Nathanael Smith
• Peyton Thompson

• Tascosa High School
• Erik Foster

• 2025 National Merit Semifinalist:
• Amarillo High School

• Jason Vo

According to officials, AISD is the only school system in the area that has consistently produced National Merit Scholars in the past ten years. The school district has had over 100 students earn a National Merit scholar designation.

Officials note high school juniors enter the 2025 National Merit Scholarship program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The tests serve as an initial screening for program entrants. Semifinalists can compete for more than 7,100 scholarships worth nearly $28 million.

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