On September 10, Dominic Shipley was named as a 2026 National Merit Semifinalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®). Of the 16,000 Semifinalists across the country, Dom was the lone Viking chosen for this prestigious honor. The semifinalists will continue in the competition for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.
In addition to being a National Merit Semifinalist, Dominic has served in leadership roles as sophomore vice president, junior sergeant-at-arms, and a 2024 TSBA SCOPE (Student Congress on Policies in Education) delegate. Academically, he has maintained a 4.0 GPA and earned a 1490 PSAT, 35 ACT and 1360 SAT. During his time at THS, he has also been awarded the Academic Excellence Awards for English Language Arts I, Algebra II, and German. Furthermore, he is a member of the Tennessee High School chapters of Beta Club and National Honor Society.
While excelling academically, he has also successfully performed in areas of CTE, earning the 10-Hour Safety & Health OSHA Certifications for General Industry and Construction, the 30-Hour OSHA Certification for Construction, and the NCCER Basic Construction Certification. He has worked with Aeronautical Accessories through the Tennessee High School Work-Based Learning program and is a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy AIM (Academy Introduction Mission) program. Not one to be pigeon holed into one area, Dominic also qualified for shot-put during the 2024-2025 track and field sectionals and participates in Robotics, Interact, Principal Leadership, Scholars’ Bowl, and STEM Club.
With this impressive resume, it is no surprise that Dominic was chosen for the prestigious honor of being a National Merit Semifinalist! We are so proud to call him a Tennessee High Viking.