Four Long Beach Unified Poly Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

Four students from Polytechnic High School have been selected as semifinalists in the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program for 2025. This honor is a testament to their academic excellence, setting them apart in a competition that draws more than 1.3 million high school students nationwide.

These exceptional students are one step closer to becoming National Merit Scholars, a journey that requires meeting rigorous criteria to advance to the Finalist stage. Their hard work and dedication reflect the values emphasized within the Long Beach Unified School District, where innovation and adaptive mindsets are nurtured at every level.

“We are incredibly proud of Tejus, Sarah, Allegra and Jade for this remarkable achievement,” Superintendent Dr. Jill A. Baker said. “These students exemplify the qualities of our Vision 2035 Graduate Portrait — resilient, collaborative and future-focused. Their academic achievements reflect our commitment to fostering success and creating a better future together.”

Next spring, the National Merit Scholarship Program will announce the winners, offering three types of scholarships:

• National Merit $2500 Scholarships: 2,500 awards offered on a state-representative basis.
• Corporate-Sponsored Scholarships: Nearly $13 million in awards for approximately 770 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships and 710 Special Scholarships.
• College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships: 3,600 scholarships are available for finalists who choose to attend a sponsoring college or university.

The Long Beach Poly semifinalists are:

• Tejus Deo-Dixit
• Sarah Madden
• Allegra R. Steege
• Jade Steege

Congratulations to all four Poly students, and best of luck as they continue through the competition.