19 Sep BCHA Seniors Named Merit Scholar Semi-Finalists
Earning the recognition of a National Merit Scholar is, in the life of a student, a unique achievement. It signifies drive, determination and confidence.
This year, the Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy of Connecticut is proud to announce that two seniors, Adam Daniel and Yoav Hochman, have been named National Merit Scholar semifinalists.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is a nationwide academic competition that recognizes top-performing students. Semifinalists are chosen based on high scores on the PSAT/NMSQT. Those who maintain strong grades and perform well on subsequent tests may advance to finalist status and earn scholarships for undergraduate study.
The program names about 16,000 semifinalists each year, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. While that number may seem large, it represents less than 1% of the nation’s graduating seniors.
Although finalists have not yet been selected, Daniel and Hochman are proud of the work they have put in so far.
“Earning this recognition tells me that, with hard work and determination, I can achieve anything,” Daniel said. “It’s proof that my future has unlimited potential.”
Over the past year, both students have shown exceptional dedication to their studies. Each plans to pursue a different field of engineering after high school, with Daniel currently enrolled in a multivariable calculus course at the University of Connecticut and Hochman spending his summer as an electrical engineering intern. Both also devoted extra hours this summer to strengthening their SAT and ACT.
Daniel and Hochman expressed gratitude for their teachers, families and friends for helping them reach this milestone.
“I’m incredibly thankful to have teachers who are invested in my success and family and friends who pushed me to achieve this goal,” Hochman said. “Without them having my back at every turn, I don’t think I would have accomplished this.”
Winners of this year’s National Merit Scholarships will be announced in early 2026.