CHS Senior Raj Gone Named National Merit Scholar Semifinalist
COLUMBUS, Neb. — Columbus High School senior Raj D. Gone, son of Krishna and Janice Gone, has been named a Semifinalist in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Gone is one of more than 16,000 Semifinalists nationwide. Together they make up less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors. Over 1.2 million juniors entered the competition by taking the 2025 PSAT/NMSQT. Semifinalists now have the chance to compete for about 6,700 National Merit Scholarships, worth approximately $24 million, which will be awarded next spring.
Raj Gone is an example of what it means to be a Discoverer. His work ethic and desire to be successful are great examples of true scholarship. In every organization or program Raj has been involved in, he has found success. Not only is Raj a great student, but he is also a great person who knows what it takes to find success. Being a National Merit Semifinalist is a great accomplishment, and we are extremely proud of Raj!
“I was overjoyed,” Gone said. “The results for National Merit came out a year later, so there was a lot of suspense building.”
He said the recognition reflects years of hard work. “It means a lot. It was something I studied extremely hard for, and I am grateful to represent CHS that way.”
Gone credits his mindset for his success. “You have to be motivated to give it your all, make sacrifices when needed, and also not be let down by a failure.”
He also credits CHS Band Director Mr. Jeff Peabody as a major influence. “He has seen me through it all,” Gone said. “Band has taught me many soft skills that have translated to successes inside and outside of the classroom.”
At CHS, Gone has taken Calculus 3. He has also been involved in FTC Robotics, Band, Quiz Bowl, Speech, Student Council, Youth Leadership Columbus, and National Honor Society.
After graduation, he plans to study math, statistics, and computer science on the East Coast, with the goal of becoming a quantitative analyst.
His advice for younger students: “Push your limits on the classes that you take. Have some confidence that you can succeed in more difficult courses. Don’t be downcast by a single bad test or project. Instead, focus on the next one and learn from your mistakes.”
To advance to Finalist standing, Semifinalists must submit a detailed application. The application requires an outstanding academic record, an endorsement from a school official, an essay, and SAT or ACT scores that confirm their earlier performance. About 95 percent of Semifinalists are expected to become Finalists, and roughly half of Finalists will earn the Merit Scholar title. Finalists will be notified in February.