Congratulations to Claire Shen ’26, Annie Shen ’26, and Isaac Xiu ’26, who have been named National Merit Finalists. This prestigious recognition places them among the top high school students in the nation, representing less than 1 percent of the more than 1.3 million students who entered the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT. As finalists, they now advance in the competition for scholarships awarded this spring.
While the designation is rooted in test performance, it reflects something broader at Wellington: sustained curiosity, disciplined thinking, and a willingness to lean into challenge over time. Claire, Annie, and Isaac each embody those qualities in distinct ways.
Claire’s academic path has been marked by depth and initiative. Her coursework includes advanced STEM classes and independent studies in linear algebra and computer science. She qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination and earned distinction through the AMC 10 and Ohio High School Mathematics Invitational Olympiad. That love of problem-solving carries beyond the classroom. Claire serves as co-president of Wellington’s Robotics Club and co-founded the Wellington Chinese Club, helping build spaces for collaboration and celebration. She is also an accomplished musician, having performed at Carnegie Hall, earned top honors in international guzheng competitions, and accompanied Wellington theater and music performances.
Annie pairs academic excellence with steady leadership and genuine care for her community. Earlier this year, she earned a perfect ACT score, a testament to both her preparation and intellectual focus. As editor of The Paw Print, Wellington’s student magazine, she helps shape student voice on campus. A four-year member and three-time captain of the bowling team, Annie leads with consistency and humility. As a Jag Ambassador, she welcomes prospective families and represents Wellington with warmth and authenticity. She also plays clarinet in the Blue Notes jazz ensemble and serves as a leader in Ohio Youth in Government.
Isaac’s academic journey reflects a deep engagement with mathematics and research. He attended the Ross Mathematics Program and spent two summers conducting research with university professors. His work was published in the Journal of Machine Learning for Modeling and Computing, where he co-authored an article on Gaussian-process models of population dynamics. At Wellington, Isaac has balanced his advanced academic pursuits with involvement in bowling and chess, bringing both focus and curiosity to his interests.
Together, Claire, Annie, and Isaac represent the many ways students at Wellington rise to the challenge. In addition to being named National Merit Finalists, all three have earned College Board recognition through School Recognition Awards and AP Scholar distinctions.
We are proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the energy, leadership, and thoughtfulness they bring to our community. Their success is a celebration of individual dedication and of a school culture that encourages students to ask big questions and pursue them fully.