Plano ISD is celebrating a remarkable academic achievement as 14 students are recipients of National Merit Scholarships for 2025.
According to Plano ISD, these scholars stand out among only 830 students across the country recognized in the first round of National Merit Scholarship Program awards this year. The scholarships are split up throughout the year, and a total of 6,930 scholarships are granted.
What Are National Merit Scholarships
The scholarships, funded by about 124 corporations and business organizations, recognize students for their academic excellence, leadership qualities and potential to succeed in demanding college programs. Awards vary in value, ranging from one-time payments of $2,500 to $5,000 to renewable scholarships of up to $10,000 per year.
Recipients are selected from a pool of finalists who met specific sponsor criteria — such as intended field of study, geographic location or a parent’s employment affiliation. Plano ISD’s 2025 corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholars reflect a broad range of talents and interests, and include students from both Plano East and Plano West Senior High Schools.
Plano ISD Recipients
- Keon Z. Attarha, Plano West – National Merit Siemens Scholarship
- Akshay A. Bhaskar, Plano West – National Merit Jerry R. Junkins Memorial Scholarship
- Joshua T. Bellegante, Plano East – National Merit State Farm Companies Foundation Scholarship
- Eshaan Chachad, Plano West – National Merit Jerry R. Junkins Memorial Scholarship
- Muhsin A. Chowdhury, Plano East – National Merit Air Liquide America Scholarship
- Evelyn S. Ding, Plano West – National Merit Jerry R. Junkins Memorial Scholarship
- Aaron T. Foo, Plano East – National Merit Jerry R. Junkins Memorial Scholarship
- Anshul M. Khandekar, Plano West – National Merit Jerry R. Junkins Memorial Scholarship
- Jiahe D. Liu, Plano West – National Merit USAA Scholarship
Justin J. Liu, Plano West – National Merit Siemens Scholarship - Nathan K. Nalla, Plano East – National Merit PepsiCo Foundation Scholarship
Arjun Ramakanth, Plano East – National Merit PepsiCo Foundation Scholarship - Henry T. Vo, Plano East – National Merit Walgreen Co. Scholarship
- William H. Xie, Plano West – National Merit Astellas Pharma US, Inc. Scholarship
More Awards To Come
This announcement marks the first of three scholarship rounds planned by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) for the class of 2025. Additional rounds — including the prestigious $2,500 National Merit Scholarships and college-sponsored Merit Scholarships — will be announced in the coming months.
By the end of the program, over 6,930 students nationwide will have earned National Merit Scholarships totaling nearly $26 million. Plano ISD’s showing in this early round highlights the district’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and student achievement on a national stage.
Don't miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.
