The Plainview Independent School District (PISD) celebrated a significant achievement during its recent board meeting, highlighting the recognition of one of its students, Montana Moore, as a semifinalist for the 2025 National Merit Scholar Program. This prestigious honor places Montana among an elite group of high school seniors, as only less than 1% of students nationwide qualify for this distinction.

Montana's journey to becoming a semifinalist began with the Preliminary SAT National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test taken in October 2023, during his junior year. This test serves as the initial screening for the program, which sees over 1.3 million juniors from approximately 21,000 high schools across the country participating each year. The selection of semifinalists is based on their scores, with the number of semifinalists from each state reflecting its share of the national graduating senior population.

To advance from semifinalist to finalist, Montana will need to collaborate with a high school official to submit a comprehensive scholarship application. This application will detail his academic achievements, involvement in school and community activities, leadership roles, and any honors or awards he has received.

The recognition of Montana Moore not only highlights his individual accomplishments but also reflects positively on the educational standards and support provided by Plainview ISD. As the district continues to foster academic excellence, the community can take pride in the achievements of its students, who are paving the way for future success.