Five Oyster River High School Seniors Commended by the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program

DURHAM – Superintendent Dr. Robert Shaps and Principal Rebecca Noe are pleased to share that five Oyster River High School seniors have been named Commended Scholars by the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. 

Seniors Mitchell Keesee, Amelia Rury, Paige Stehle, Hannah Wolfe, and Maggie Zhang are recognized for their exceptional academic promise demonstrated by scoring among the 50,000 highest scorers nationwide on the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. 

Keesee, Rury, Stehle, Wolfe, and Zhang will receive letters of commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program Corporation and the district. 

“Congratulations to Mitchell, Amelia, Paige, Hannah, and Maggie for being recognized for their hard work and dedication,” said Principal Noe. “They have excelled in the classroom and have contributed significantly to the school community. I’m excited to see the great things they will do next.”

“We are incredibly proud of Mitchell, Amelia, Paige, Hannah, and Maggie for receiving this prestigious honor,” Superintendent Shaps said. “Their commitment to academic excellence is inspiring and demonstrates their outstanding potential. We hope this recognition helps them as they pursue future opportunities.”

About National Merit Scholarship Corporation

Since its founding, NMSC has recognized over 3.4 million students and provided some 451,000 scholarships worth over $1.8 billion. The honors awarded by NMSC to exceptionally able students are viewed as definitive marks of excellence. Recipients of Merit Scholarship® awards, Achievement Scholarship® awards, and corporate-sponsored Special Scholarships have increased the nation’s respect for intellectual accomplishments and have contributed significantly to its talent pool of future leaders.