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National Merit Semifinalists

Topeka Collegiate Celebrates National Merit Semifinalists


Graduates represent less than 2% of area students, yet 17% of the 2022 National Merit Scholar Semifinalists are Topeka Collegiate alumni.

TOPEKA, KANSAS – Topeka Collegiate is delighted to announce that two of the twelve scholars recently recognized as National Merit semifinalists in Topeka and Manhattan are graduates of the school. 

Om Watson ‘18, and Sam DeLong ‘18, received national recognition for scoring in the top 1% for their academic performance on the PSAT.   Additionally, Rishiraj Pandya ‘18 has been named a National Merit Commended scholar, scoring in the top 5% in Kansas on the PSAT.

“Year after year, Topeka Collegiate graduates are among the highest achieving students in the area,” said Head of School Dr. Lyn Rantz. “News like this reminds us to pause and celebrate the impact our teachers are making on students, the dedication of the parents, and, of course, to celebrate the tenacity of our Eagles!”

Topeka Collegiate alumni represented 20% of National Merit Scholar Semifinalists in 2019, 57% in 2020, and 25% in 2021. The independent school serves prekindergarten through eighth grade, but does not have a high school. Instead, students are able to choose which high school they attend, as many local schools actively recruit Topeka Collegiate students due to their strong academic performance.

Topeka Collegiate would also like to honor Nibandh Kulkarni ’17, as a 2021 National Merit semifinalist. Additionally, we celebrate our 2021 Kansas Governor’s Scholars, Nibandh Kulkarni ’17, Xavier Harrison ’17, and Sho Glashausser ’17. The Kansas Governor’s Scholars program honors the top academic one percent of Kansas high school seniors. 

Please join us in congratulating all of our scholars! Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle!

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