The National Merit Scholarship program was established in 1955 to honor the nation’s scholastic champions and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) – a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.3 million entrants each year–and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.

Graham Anderson is one of only 16,000 students nationwide to earn the honor of semi-finalist. He is in competition for scholarships worth $28 million. Finalists will be recognized in February, 2024. 

Graham is the son of Ryan and Amy Anderson, of Princeton and the oldest of five children. He is well-respected and known for his work ethic, intelligence, humility, and friendliness. 

Feedback from teachers who know Graham is extremely positive.

• “He is a student who has a confidence in himself that radiates without overpowering those around him.” 

• “He made an impact on me and made me a better teacher because of his curiosity and well thought questions and inquiry.”

• “Each member of the NHS is required to plan a service event. Going beyond the typical, Graham wrote the curriculum for a technology class for senior citizens, organized volunteers to help, and taught the multi-week course at Sterling Pointe, a local assisted living facility.”

• “Graham is an outstanding person who pushes those around him to improve through his actions, positive attitude, inclusive nature, and genuine kindness.”

Graham is in the National Honor Society, on the PHS Student Council and has been a volunteer for the WEB and LINK programs which involves mentoring younger students. He is the captain for Speech and a dedicated member of the Cross-Country, Track, and Swim/Dive teams. He is a talented musician, a key vocalist in Concert Choir and Alba Coro, and a section-leader percussionist in Jazz Band and Symphonic Winds ensembles. He enjoys working as a certified lifeguard for the PHS pool and has a black belt in karate. 

Graham’s academic record is impressive and includes a top GPA, a consistent place on the Principal’s List, School Board Scholar, several Student of the Month nominations, and a first place prize at the St. Cloud State math contest, which he voluntarily attended. He obtained the top score on the Reading ACT, almost a perfect score on the Math SAT, and has been recognized as an Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Distinction, earning perfect scores on multiple AP exams. He has an unwavering commitment to whatever he puts his mind to doing and will graduate with five years of experience in an extremely rigorous math program called The Art of Problem Solving which attracts the brightest and most gifted mathematicians from around the globe. He has had his sights set on attending MIT since second grade and is looking forward to majoring in physics. 

Graham’s most recent achievement, being crowned Homecoming King, was met with nothing but compliments. We are extremely proud of this distinguished young man, are grateful to be a part of his success story, and wish him the very best.