Hoboken High School’s Carolina Fernandez Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
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Hoboken High School’s Carolina Fernandez Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Three Years. Three Semifinalists. One Redwing Tradition of Excellence.
Hoboken, NJ (Tuesday, September 15, 2026) — Hoboken High School is proud to announce that senior Carolina Fernandez has been named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, earning recognition among a select group of academically accomplished high school students nationwide.
Fernandez has distinguished herself through outstanding academic achievement as well as active involvement in the Hoboken High School community. She participates in Harvard Model Congress, is a member of the Hoboken High School Tennis Team and Student Government, and takes part in additional school activities. Her accomplishments reflect a commitment not only to academic excellence, but also to leadership and engagement beyond the classroom.
For Fernandez, learning that she had earned the prestigious recognition came at a particularly meaningful moment as she began her senior year.
“I am so incredibly grateful to be representing Hoboken High in the National Merit Scholarship Program. If not for the support I've received over the past three years from teachers and faculty, I truly believe this wouldn't be possible. I found out on my way to Senior Sunrise, so it was really a full-circle moment for me and my academic journey.”
“Carolina’s recognition as a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist is an extraordinary accomplishment and a reflection of her dedication, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to excellence,” said Robin Piccapietra, Principal of Hoboken High School. “We are incredibly proud of Carolina and all that she has accomplished. To have a National Merit Semifinalist from Hoboken High School for three consecutive years speaks to the academic culture we continue to build and, most importantly, to the remarkable students who challenge themselves every day.”
“Carolina’s achievement is a tremendous source of pride for our entire school district,” said Christine Johnson, Superintendent of Schools. “Being named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist is an exceptional academic distinction, and Carolina has earned this recognition through her hard work, intellectual curiosity, and willingness to challenge herself. What makes this moment even more meaningful is that Carolina is the third Hoboken High School student in three consecutive years to earn Semifinalist recognition. That consistency speaks to the caliber of our students, the strength of the academic opportunities available to them, and the educators who encourage them to set ambitious goals and pursue excellence. I could not be more proud of Carolina, and I look forward to seeing all that she accomplishes during her senior year and well beyond Hoboken High School.”
The National Merit Scholarship Program is a highly competitive academic recognition and scholarship program for U.S. high school students. Students enter the competition through their performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) and must satisfy additional program requirements.
Each year, academically talented students from across the country are identified as Semifinalists. Those students have the opportunity to advance to Finalist standing by completing additional requirements and demonstrating continued academic achievement. Finalists may then be considered for National Merit Scholarships and other scholarship opportunities associated with the program.
Fernandez’s recognition marks the third consecutive year that a Hoboken High School student has been named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, continuing an impressive period of National Merit success at HHS.
Last year, Lucas Daly was recognized as a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist before graduating from Hoboken High School and continuing his education at Brown University.
The previous year, Madison Walia Peters earned Semifinalist recognition, advanced to Finalist standing, and was awarded a National Merit Scholarship. She is currently pursuing a pre-medical course of study at Harvard University.
Fernandez said she is proud to continue the tradition established by her fellow Redwings and hopes her achievement inspires future Hoboken High School students.
“I'm honored to follow in Madison and Lucas's footsteps as a Semifinalist, as well as to serve as inspiration for what I anticipate will be many more future Redwing Semifinalists. I hope to eventually be named a National Merit Scholar and put the scholarship toward pursuing a major in political science.”
Three consecutive years of National Merit Semifinalist recognition represents an important milestone for Hoboken High School and reflects the academic achievement, ambition, and dedication of its students, as well as the educators, staff members, and families who encourage and support them.
As Fernandez begins her final year at Hoboken High School, she is looking forward to both the next stage of the National Merit Scholarship competition and the opportunities that await her beyond graduation.
“Overall, I'm immensely excited to see what the future holds, both in terms of National Merit and my last year at Hoboken High.”
The entire Hoboken Public School District congratulates Carolina Fernandez on this exceptional accomplishment and wishes her continued success as she advances through the National Merit Scholarship competition and completes her senior year as a proud Hoboken High School Redwing.