SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Caddo Parish is once again home to the largest number of National Merit Scholarship semifinalists in the region, with 13 seniors from Caddo Parish Magnet High School earning the distinction in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced semifinalists on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, giving these students a chance to compete for nearly $26 million in awards, according to Caddo Parish Schools.
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The semifinalists are Cruz Balderas, Bryce Chandler, Hashir Chatha, Ezekiel Forsythe, Sutton Hardy, Ivy Joseph, Jai Koticha, Elaine Lu, Nathan Tatum, Maya Trutschl, Annelise Whited, Kevin Zhao, and Johnny Zheng.
“These students highlight the incredible potential of our young people,” Superintendent Keith Burton said in a news release. “We are proud of their hard work, their dedication, and the teachers and families who supported them along the way.”…