Ursuline Academy of Dallas is proud to recognize four students who have been named National Merit Semifinalists have moved forward to the Finalist round: Emily Z.  ’26, Maia M. ’26, Lily C. ’26, and Megan R. ’26. Each of these students embodies Ursuline’s spirit of academic excellence, leadership, and service as they pursue unique passions that shape their future goals.

Emily Z. ’26
A leader on campus and in the classroom, Emily serves as President of Art in a Cart, a service club, and as a captain of the Varsity Cross Country team. She is also active in Ursuline Ambassadors and UA Theater. As Editor-in-Chief of the student newspaper, “Bear Facts,” Emily has discovered her passion for storytelling and plans to study journalism in college. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s very rewarding,” she shared. Emily especially loves her AP Literature class, describing it as both discussion-based and inspiring, and credits the fact that her teacher is also her advisor as the reason it is even more meaningful.

Maia M. ’26
Maia blends scientific curiosity with technological innovation. She is Vice President of the Computer Science Club, serves on the leadership team for the Serviam Fair, and participates in the Biomedical Club, NHS, and Track and Field. She plans to pursue biochemistry with a minor in computer science, following a pre-med path. Her favorite course, Computer Science Advanced Topics, allows her to develop the skills she needs while exploring the freedom to create. “I love learning about how the world works,” Maia said, pointing to her interdisciplinary passions as the foundation for her future.

Lily C. ’26
Lily demonstrates a heart for leadership and service, serving as President of both the Student Alumnae Association and the Blanket Making for Preemies Club, while also playing softball. She plans to pursue biology or animal science on a pre-veterinary track, inspired by a lifelong passion for animals. Lily highlights her AP Chemistry class as a favorite, appreciating the challenge of building on prior knowledge in a deeper, more meaningful way. She also treasures her Spanish studies, crediting her dedicated teachers for making the subject both rigorous and fun. “They love watching us grow in skill,” Lily said. “Those classes have been some of my favorites.”

Megan R. ’26
For Megan, service has been a defining part of her Ursuline journey. Through Best Buddies and her summers volunteering at Camp Barnabas, she discovered her love for working with individuals with special needs, a calling that continues in her senior service at Ashford Rise. Alongside her passion for service, Megan has excelled academically, taking on six math credits, including AP Statistics and AP Calculus AB. She intends to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Marketing, building on her experiences in multiple pre-collegiate business programs at UC San Diego, USC, and Stanford. Her vision is to create a career that blends creativity with analytical precision. “I’ve always been drawn to uncovering the creative side of subjects not typically seen as creative,” Megan explained.

Together, Emily, Maia, Lily, and Megan exemplify the best of Ursuline: students who not only excel academically but also embody the values of leadership, service, and innovation. Their recognition as National Merit Semifinalists is a testament to their hard work and the supportive community that has nurtured their growth.