Aspen High School Principal Sarah Strassburger announced in a press release that five Aspen High School students have been recognized as Commended Students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.

These students – Henry Hurd, Sharif Khan, Camron Lapointe, Morgan Phillips and Audrey Woodrow – received this award, which places them among the top 50,000 students who participated in the 2025 competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test 2023 (PSAT/NMSQT), according to the press release.

Although they did not advance in the competition for the National Merit Scholarship award, their outstanding academic achievements were recognized at the national level.

“These students represent not only academic excellence, but also the IB Learning Profile characteristics of kindness, integrity, curiosity, risk-taking and much more,” Strassburger said in the press release.

She praised them for their accomplishments outside of the classroom, emphasizing that “these are student-athletes, innovative thinkers and service-oriented individuals who embody the best of our learning community.”

“We are so proud of these students and can’t wait to see what they do to make our world a better place,” she said.

According to the press release, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation recognizes approximately 34,000 students across the country each year for their exceptional academic potential and honors those who demonstrate their ability to excel in challenging educational environments.

Aspen School District Superintendent Tharyn Mulberry echoed that sentiment in the news release, emphasizing how proud the district is of these students for their demonstrated academic success.

“They embody all the qualities that we want to promote in our learners. “These students are risk-takers, caring people and knowledgeable, critical thinkers who approach challenges with confidence and curiosity,” he said. “They embody the spirit of lifelong learning and represent our district’s core values.”

According to the press release, he attributed their success to the dedication of the district’s educators and the supportive learning environment in Aspen.