Schmitz named a Commended Student in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program

HARLAN — Harlan Community High School senior Benjamin Schmitz has been named a Commended Student in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. Schmitz is the son of Matt and Amber Schmitz of Harlan.
Schmitz will receive a Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, at Senior Awards Night in May.
Approximately 34,000 students nationwide are being recognized as Commended Students for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the competition for 2027 National Merit Scholarship awards, these students placed among the top 50,000 participants who took the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” a spokesperson for NMSC said. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”