IUSD is proud to announce the next round of National Merit Scholars. Nine students were named recipients of the prestigious $2,500 National Merit Scholarships, the highest number awarded to any school district in Orange County. This is the second of three rounds in the National Merit Scholarship Program to be awarded.
The National Merit $2,500 Scholarship is a one-time award given to top academic performers across the country. This year, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) selected winners from a highly competitive pool of more than 15,000 Finalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. Recipients were chosen based on their exceptional academic achievements, leadership qualities and potential for success in demanding college coursework.
These Scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who evaluated each finalist’s academic records, including course rigor and grades, 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test scores, leadership roles, extracurricular involvement, personal essays and letters of recommendation.
The majority of these $2,500 scholarships are funded by NMSC, with additional support from corporations, foundations, and individual donors through the President’s Fund. Awardees can apply their scholarships toward studies at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
2025 IUSD $2,500 Merit Scholars
Matthew Chang, Woodbridge High School
Probable career field: Academia
National Merit $2500 Scholarship
Kyle Y. He, Portola High School
Probable career field: Computer Science
National Merit $2500 Scholarship
Sky Jafar, University High School
Probable career field: Academia
National Merit $2500 Scholarship
Nathan Taeyoung Kang, Northwood High School
Probable career field: Biochemical Engineering
National Merit $2500 Scholarship
Tiffany Kim, Portola High School
Probable career field: Biological Engineering
National Merit $2500 Scholarship
Victor G. Li, University High School
Probable career field: Undecided
National Merit $2500 Scholarship
Charlotte C. Pham, Woodbridge High School
Probable career field: Linguistics
National Merit $2500 Scholarship
Agam S. Randhawa, University High School
Probable career field: Computer Programming
National Merit $2500 Scholarship
Aditi A. Salunkhe, Portola High School
Probable career field: Law
National Merit $2500 Scholarship
Related:
IUSD Students Named Corporate-Sponsored National Merit Scholars, Most in Orange County