NORTH BERGEN, NJ —
September 10, 2026 |
By DailyHudson Staff
Parth Khot, a graphic design major from Hudson County Schools of Technology, is one of five local students earning the distinction this year.
Parth Khot spent his summer at Rutgers University, knee-deep in engineering problems. Now the High Tech High School senior has something else to think about: a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist nod that puts him among the top students in the country.
Khot, a graphic design major in the Media, Visual & Performing Arts Academy at Hudson County Schools of Technology, is one of five Hudson County students to earn the recognition this year. The others are Lehansa Marambage of Jose Marti STEM Academy in Union City, Pratyush Majumdar of Saint Peter’s Prep, Avni Kakra of McNair Academic High School in Jersey City, and Carolina Fernandez of Hoboken High School.
The National Merit Scholarship Program, which turns 70 next year, identifies the highest scorers on the PSAT/NMSQT each fall. Roughly 1.3 million juniors take the test. About 16,000 become semifinalists. From there, most advance to finalist standing, and a smaller group wins scholarships ranging from $2,500 to corporate and college-sponsored awards.
What does it actually take? A near-perfect score on the PSAT — the qualifying test — plus a solid transcript and some luck. Only about 1 percent of test-takers make semifinalist. For families staring at college bills, the recognition can open doors to additional scholarship money and strengthen an application. But it is far from the only path to college success.
The road to this moment started long before high school. Khot spent part of his summer at the Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology at Rutgers, a competitive program for rising seniors. He also balances a graphic design focus with the academic demands of one of the county’s largest technical schools. High Tech, which sits in North Bergen, pulls students from across Hudson County.
Superintendent Tom Macagnano didn’t hold back in a statement. “This recognition reflects Parth’s exceptional academic achievement, dedication, and hard work,” he said. “We are thrilled to celebrate this accomplishment and proud to have him represent High Tech High School and the Media, Visual & Performing Arts Academy on a national level.”
For Hudson County families, the news is a reminder that local public schools — and the county’s technical district — compete on a national stage. High Tech, McNair, and Union City’s Jose Marti STEM Academy are all public. Saint Peter’s Prep and Hoboken High are private and public, respectively. The mix says something: talent is here, in every corner of the county.
It also says something about what it takes. These students juggle advanced coursework, extracurriculars, and often part-time jobs or family responsibilities. A senior in North Bergen isn’t so different from a senior in Hoboken or Jersey City. They’re all trying to figure out what comes next. A recognition like this doesn’t change who they are — it just opens a door a little wider.
“Parth’s recognition as a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist reflects exactly the kind of academic excellence we strive for across our district,” Macagnano said. The district, which runs High Tech and other career-focused schools, has made a point of pushing students toward national competitions and programs. This year, that push paid off.
Semifinalists now must submit a detailed application, including essays, recommendation letters, and SAT scores that confirm their PSAT performance. Finalists will be announced in February. Scholarship winners will be named starting in April. The process is long, but the payoff — beyond money — is a signal to colleges that this student can handle serious work.
If you know a high school junior, mark the calendar. The PSAT/NMSQT is given in October. Students can register through their school. The National Merit program isn’t the only game in town, but it’s one of the most visible. And for families in Hudson County, it’s worth understanding how it works — so no one misses a chance.
What to Watch
Finalist announcements come in February. Scholarship offers roll out in the spring. In the meantime, parents and students can ask school counselors about the PSAT, the National Merit program, and other scholarship options. The deadlines are real, but so are the opportunities.
For Khot, the next few months will be about essays, forms, and waiting. For the rest of us, it’s a reminder that Hudson County kids can go toe-to-toe with anyone. That’s not a small thing.
Source: Hudson County View
