2025 - 2026 Aledo High School Seniors Receive Academic Recognition

Aledo High School is celebrating the academic achievements of seven Class of 2026 seniors as they were recently recognized as National Merit Semifinalists, National Merit Commended Scholars and/or AP Capstone Diploma recipients.

“These recognitions are a testament to many years of hard work and dedication in the classroom for these students,” Aledo High School Principal Michael Martinak said. “We are extremely proud of them and thankful for the teachers and staff who have impacted them and encouraged them to achieve at such a high level.”

National Merit Semifinalist
Senior James Leising was named a National Merit Semifinalist in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program, making him one of more than 16,000 semifinalists nationwide to earn this prestigious recognition. Over 1.3 million juniors in about 20,000 high schools entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. National Merit Finalists will be notified in February.

National Merit Commended Scholars
Seniors Kaitlin Brummer, Amelia Buck, Asher Childress, Breleigh Mayer and Rhiannon Moses were named National Merit Commended Scholars. Students who earn this designation have placed in the top 3-4% of all test-takers of the PSAT.

AP Capstone Diploma recipients
Seniors Kaitlin Brummer, Amber Furlow and Breleigh Mayer have completed requirements for an AP Capstone diploma upon graduation. 

Students earn an AP Capstone Diploma for scoring a 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing. AP Capstone comprises two AP courses—AP Seminar and AP Research—and is designed to complement and enhance the discipline-specific study in other AP courses. Student participation in the AP Capstone program has been steadily increasing, with over 100,000 students in over 2,500 schools worldwide taking part each academic year.

AP Capstone is a College Board program that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. Unlike traditional AP subject exams with a single end-of-year assessment, AP Seminar and AP Research assessments are project based and evaluate skills mastery through group projects, presentations, and individual essays completed throughout the year. Students are assessed on the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management and presentation skills needed to complete their projects.

In addition to these Class of 2026 seniors, several Class of 2025 seniors completed their AP Capstone diploma in the spring, including: Ella Hopkins, Emma Robbins, Madison Salaverry, Eleanor Schafer, Lauren Schoolfield, Sophie Smith and Emery Thompson.

Aledo ISD had its first AP Capstone graduates in the Class of 2024.