TRAVERSE CITY — Madeline Bildeaux and Jackson Hochstetler from Traverse City Area Public Schools have been named finalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
According to a Feb. 11 news release, West Senior High School students Bildeaux and Hochstetler were among 16,000 students named as 2025 National Merit Semifinalists. As finalists, students have the opportunity to continue in the competition for 6,870 National Merit Scholarships.
“Being recognized as a National Merit Scholar finalist is a prestigious honor and we are incredibly proud of these students and their academic achievement,” Superintendent of Traverse City Area Public Schools Dr. John VanWagoner said. “We also acknowledge all TCAPS K-12 staff for their ongoing dedication to every student’s success and academic journey.”
About 1.3 million juniors entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 PSAT/NMSQT, which serves as the initial screen of program entrants.
