King School is proud to announce that seniors Jaipal Dohil ’25 and Parker Hayashi ’25 have been named National Merit Semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. This prestigious recognition is awarded to students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, placing them among the top 1% of high school seniors across the nation.

“I am incredibly proud of Parker and Jaipal,” said Director of College Counseling Jessica Landis. “This recognition is just one example of the many ways in which they have dedicated themselves to the pursuit of excellence throughout high school. Their commitment to scholarly achievement will serve them well throughout their lives.”

"It's a great honor to receive this recognition, and I want to thank all my teachers who have helped me along the way. I am so grateful for my nine years at King, and I have been able to grow tremendously as a result of my time here," said Parker.

Jaipal echoed Parker’s sentiment. "I'm really excited to have been selected as a National Merit Semifinalist. I thank the amazing teachers who guided me through King's rigorous math and English classes for my achievement. It means a lot to me to see my hard work pay off!" 

The National Merit Scholarship Program, established in 1955, honors outstanding scholastic talent and promotes a deeper respect for learning. This year, more than 16,000 students nationwide have been recognized as semifinalists. Jaipal and Parker now have the opportunity to compete for one of nearly 7,000 National Merit Scholarships worth a combined total of $26 million.

To advance to the finalist level, Jaipal and Parker will need to fulfill additional requirements, including submitting a detailed scholarship application and demonstrating consistent academic performance throughout their high school years. Around 95 percent of semifinalists are expected to reach finalist standing, with about half of the finalists earning a Merit Scholarship and the coveted Merit Scholar title.