Spartanburg School District 7 is thrilled to share an achievement that highlights the exceptional talent and hard work of our students and the dedication of our educators. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced the 2025 semifinalists and commended students in its 70th annual scholarship recognition program, and we are proud to recognize SEVEN seniors from D7 who have earned accolades!
To qualify as a National Merit Semifinalist, students must place among the highest scorers in their state on the Preliminary SAT Test (PSAT). Our Semifinalists from Spartanburg High School—Steven Egge, Avery Gilley, Paul Jackson, Cameron Kendrick, and Paul Whisnant—are exemplary models of academic excellence. They join a distinguished group of 234 students across South Carolina’s public, private, and homeschool settings and represent the top 1% of the 1.3 million high school seniors from 21,000 high schools nationwide who competed for the honor. This year, District 7 is home to more National Merit Semifinalists than any other public or private high school in Spartanburg County.
Additionally, we are proud to recognize Jay Blanton and Nalani Manigault as National Merit Commended Students, an honor that places them among the top 3% of students nationally. Their achievements reflect both their hard work and the strong academic environment fostered by our school district.
Dr. Andrew McMillan, Spartanburg High School principal, said, “We are deeply grateful to our dedicated educators and staff whose unwavering commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a love of learning laid the groundwork for these achievements. The educational foundation built in our elementary and middle schools supports our students throughout their high school career as they reach these remarkable milestones.”
Let us all celebrate the incredible success of our students and the entire D7 community. We are truly “Going for Great” as we work together to inspire and empower future leaders!