This year, Lebanon Trail High School had a record breaking number of National Merit Semifinalists. These students all marked for high achievements last October in the NMSQT PSAT as Juniors. However these aren’t just statistics, they’re stories. Beyond the scores and titles are individuals, each with their own sense of drive, challenges, and most of all their own personal experience. Their stories reflect not just academic excellence but the persistent resilience that goes unseen in the face of success, reminders that success isn’t sudden but always deeply personal.
In a school culture often driven by numbers, these students are testaments that success isn’t just measured, it’s lived. For Mahi Bhatnagar, the journey to National Merit wasn’t about chasing a number, it was about personal growth and living up to her own expectations.
“I have a pretty academic family and beyond that, I realized that I could do it and the thought process of pushing myself as far as I can go is what really motivated me because I never wanted to be less than I had the potential to be and that’s why I always put my best foot forward,” Mahi Bhatnagar said.
Bhatnagar’s approach was structured, but also tested her limits.
“I would just dedicate one day a week to work on it. I’m an orchestra officer, mock trial officer, I’m in scouts and that’s the main thing I do Deca and BPA. I also work in a clinic. The hardest part about balancing these activities is because I’m a bad procrastinator. I’m not the best at time management and get overwhelmed and frustrated so now I try to stay calm when things are frustrating, don’t freak out and continue doing it till you’re done,” Mahi Bhatnagar said.
On the other hand, for Rosemary Chen, the key to success wasn’t found in a planner, it was in her mindset.
“Consistency I would say is the key. [Being sure to] continue to work towards it, even when you feel tired and even when you feel unmotivated. I would say just keep working hard and sometimes you’ll feel like you can’t do it but if you keep working at it it’ll get you to your goal,” Chen said.
Despite his academic accomplishments, Mihir Sood reflects on his goals with honesty and introspection.
“I wish I didn’t try on the SAT and grades as much as I did. I don’t do anything for school spirit or school. I’m not in the newspaper, Vanguard, [and] I didn’t do band, orchestra, choir or theater. I didn’t do anything at school… [and] I wish I did something more meaningful with my time [in high school],” Mihir Sood said.
When asked for advice for future national merit aspirants, Jeff Zhou reminds us to challenge the idea of what National Merit truly represents.
“Don’t stress out too much about it. Whether you get it or not it doesn’t define you and isn’t an end all be all. You should strive for National Merit but it should not be your only purpose. Live a multifaceted lifestyle because if you are only consumed with this test you will do worse since the pressure will make you crack,” Jeff Zhou said.
While their paths and motivations differ, each student carries a clear sense of the legacy they hope to leave, one that’s defined by more than just numbers. What’s valued more than the accolade is the message and example these students leave behind.
“I want to be a physician and want to be a pillar for my community. I want people to come in where I work and feel welcome and supported. The legacy I want to leave is one of support and community and positivity. I want that to be what other people think when they think of me,” Mahi Bhatnagar said.
“I want to leave behind a legacy of just integrity and hard work because I feel like I think that’s the most important. For people to not only be successful but also be good [people],” Rosemary Chen said.
“I want to leave behind the legacy of someone who was always trying to reach and strive for their best potential,” Jeff Zhou said.
“I want to be remembered as not a jerk. I want people to remember me for who I was, [whether that’s being] like he was nice, he helped me, he was cool. He wasn’t a bad person,” Mihir Sood said.
