Rockhurst High School
Class of 2027 Seniors Named National Merit Semifinalists
Five seniors in the Class of 2027 have been named National Merit Semifinalists!
(L-R) Kemper Roberts '27, Cole Cress '27, Ben Olschki '27, Josh Barney '27, and Jack Neely '27.
These Hawklets are among the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists nationwide, representing the less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors, who qualified as Semifinalists.
Looking forward to February, some 15,000 Semifinalists will be notified that they have been selected to Finalist standing.
Here is each Rockhurst Semifinalist reflecting on the selection and his time at The Rock:
Josh Barney '27:
Cole Cress '27:
Jack Neely '27:
Ben Olschki '27:
Getting National Merit Semifinalist helps me see that the hard work I put in is paying off. It also shows me how much I’ve grown in my time at Rockhurst.
I’m planning on studying economics/accounting in college. I’m looking at Notre Dame, Creighton, and Tulsa for college.
I’m involved in Entrepreneurship Club, Baseball, and Scholar Bowl.
Mr. McMurray has helped me get to where I am today by teaching me to be a more confident public speaker and showed me that to accomplish my goals, I need to take risks and put myself out there.
For me, Excellence, Virtue and Faith exemplifies doing things for the greater glory of God. Although we have individual successes, without virtuousness and faith in God, we wouldn’t be able to reach our full potential as humans.
Kemper Roberts '27:
Being a National Merit Semifinalist is a goal I've had for a long time. I knew it was something that I could achieve if I worked hard enough. For me, it symbolizes the fulfillment of the work I have put in the last 3 years, day in and day out.
I plan on studying physics/nuclear physics/ astrophysics in college. My top choices are MIT, Purdue, Notre Dame, and Boston College. My goal is to contribute to advancing our understanding of the world and universe throughout mMy favorite things about Rockhurst are the challenging curriculum, the standard and expectation to do great things, the challenge to grow in personal and communal faith, and the faculty and staff around me. I am involved in the swim and basketball programs, as well as the AMDG program.
For me, Mr. Winkeler has been the most impactful person on my journey. Besides being a great swim coach, he has shown me what hard work looks like and never lets me get lazy. He leads by example, and is always there for me if I need something.
Excellence, Virtue, and Faith are the core themes that we must live up to to achieve the goal of "men for others." I could not be a complete person without any one of them. Faith in Christ and others enables me to act with virtue. And if I act with virtue, I will be an excellent person.
Back
(L-R) Kemper Roberts '27, Cole Cress '27, Ben Olschki '27, Josh Barney '27, and Jack Neely '27.
These Hawklets are among the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists nationwide, representing the less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors, who qualified as Semifinalists.
Looking forward to February, some 15,000 Semifinalists will be notified that they have been selected to Finalist standing.
Here is each Rockhurst Semifinalist reflecting on the selection and his time at The Rock:
Josh Barney '27:
Being selected as a National Merit Semifinalist means so much to me. I feel so lucky to be recognized nationally as an outstanding student, and the scholarship money that comes with this recognition will help me pursue more excellence and learning in college.
After Rockhurst, I’m planning on going to college to study electrical engineering. I’m hoping to either attend the Raikes School at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln or attend Purdue University.
Some of my favorite experiences at Rockhurst are going to football games, running Cross Country, and being president the Business Club. I’m also involved in Theater and the Pastoral department.
At Rockhurst, Coach Micheal Dierks has greatly influenced me into becoming the man I am today. His coaching on the cross country team has helped me learn the value of hard work, how to bounce back from failure, and why it’s important challenge oneself.
Excellence, Virtue, and Faith are constant commitments that one can choose. We should strive to choose to be excellent, virtuous, and have faith because these things helps us because they make us better people not for our own gain, but to make the world better our neighbors.
Cole Cress '27:
The National Merit Semifinalist selection is an affirmation of all the work I have put in. It reminds me that these late nights studying stack up and result in real growth and truly benefit me in the long run.
After Rockhurst, I plan to go to college, probably a Catholic or Jesuit one (Creighton and Notre Dame are my top two as of now) and complete a dual major in neuroscience and psychology on the pre-med track. Long-term, I want to find a career where I can serve others, which is why I think being a doctor would suit me perfectly.
My favorite things about Rockhurst certainly includes the brotherhood. It is almost palpable in the halls and the classrooms, in the locker rooms and the gym, in the smiles and the laughter. I also really enjoy the Docklets Pre-Med Club, the Engineering Club, and, of course, wrestling and cross country. These activities help me to grow as a leader and help me explore my passions, especially in the Docklets Club.
A Rockhurst coach that helped me get to where I am today is Coach Wikiera. He was the head wrestling coach for a long time. He always reminded me that I can accomplish whatever I put my mind to – a lesson my parents love to remind me of. Coach Wikiera has pushed me to be a better version of myself and has not let me fall below the standard I have set for myself. He makes me better.
Excellence is the goal. It is a habit; after all, how you do one thing is, in my experience, how you do everything. Excellence remains the goal as we seek to pursue a God who is Himself Perfection. Virtue is the disposition we have to the good, that is, Godliness. It determines our character. Faith is the foundation. It underpins both these traits by putting them into proper perspective as we seek to glorify God in everything we do — not for our greater glory, but for His.
After Rockhurst, I plan to go to college, probably a Catholic or Jesuit one (Creighton and Notre Dame are my top two as of now) and complete a dual major in neuroscience and psychology on the pre-med track. Long-term, I want to find a career where I can serve others, which is why I think being a doctor would suit me perfectly.
My favorite things about Rockhurst certainly includes the brotherhood. It is almost palpable in the halls and the classrooms, in the locker rooms and the gym, in the smiles and the laughter. I also really enjoy the Docklets Pre-Med Club, the Engineering Club, and, of course, wrestling and cross country. These activities help me to grow as a leader and help me explore my passions, especially in the Docklets Club.
A Rockhurst coach that helped me get to where I am today is Coach Wikiera. He was the head wrestling coach for a long time. He always reminded me that I can accomplish whatever I put my mind to – a lesson my parents love to remind me of. Coach Wikiera has pushed me to be a better version of myself and has not let me fall below the standard I have set for myself. He makes me better.
Excellence is the goal. It is a habit; after all, how you do one thing is, in my experience, how you do everything. Excellence remains the goal as we seek to pursue a God who is Himself Perfection. Virtue is the disposition we have to the good, that is, Godliness. It determines our character. Faith is the foundation. It underpins both these traits by putting them into proper perspective as we seek to glorify God in everything we do — not for our greater glory, but for His.
Jack Neely '27:
It’s a great honor and accomplishment, and I’m incredibly proud and grateful to all the support that got me to where I am today.
I plan to go to either the University of Creighton or the University of Iowa to major in English or journalism.
I’m involved with the Rock Collection Literary Magazine as the returning Editor-In-Chief, and I have run cross country and track all four years at Rockhurst. I have a lot of good memories and experiences that have shaped me into who I am today.
I’m involved with the Rock Collection Literary Magazine as the returning Editor-In-Chief, and I have run cross country and track all four years at Rockhurst. I have a lot of good memories and experiences that have shaped me into who I am today.
Three Rockhurst coaches and teachers who have helped me on my journey me are Coach Dierks, Coach Dobens, and Dr. Caughron. Coach Dierks is the head cross country coach and a man filled with wisdom who knows how to both turn people into disciplined runners and get them to have fun while doing it. Coach Dobens is another member of the cross country staff, and I’ve been in his Latin classes for four years now; his enthusiasm for what he does and care for those he spends time with is unmatched. Dr. Caughron is also full of knowledge and plenty of helpful tips.
For me, excellence is giving your best. It’s not asking you to be perfect, but to do whatever you’re doing well and to the best of your ability. I like the definition of virtue as the “mean between two extremes,” a balance between two opposing forces that enables us to live well. Faith is one of those virtues and is at the core of a Catholic Jesuit education, as we do everything for the Greater Glory of God.
Ben Olschki '27:
Getting National Merit Semifinalist helps me see that the hard work I put in is paying off. It also shows me how much I’ve grown in my time at Rockhurst.
I’m planning on studying economics/accounting in college. I’m looking at Notre Dame, Creighton, and Tulsa for college.
I’m involved in Entrepreneurship Club, Baseball, and Scholar Bowl.
Mr. McMurray has helped me get to where I am today by teaching me to be a more confident public speaker and showed me that to accomplish my goals, I need to take risks and put myself out there.
For me, Excellence, Virtue and Faith exemplifies doing things for the greater glory of God. Although we have individual successes, without virtuousness and faith in God, we wouldn’t be able to reach our full potential as humans.
Kemper Roberts '27:
Being a National Merit Semifinalist is a goal I've had for a long time. I knew it was something that I could achieve if I worked hard enough. For me, it symbolizes the fulfillment of the work I have put in the last 3 years, day in and day out.
I plan on studying physics/nuclear physics/ astrophysics in college. My top choices are MIT, Purdue, Notre Dame, and Boston College. My goal is to contribute to advancing our understanding of the world and universe throughout mMy favorite things about Rockhurst are the challenging curriculum, the standard and expectation to do great things, the challenge to grow in personal and communal faith, and the faculty and staff around me. I am involved in the swim and basketball programs, as well as the AMDG program.
For me, Mr. Winkeler has been the most impactful person on my journey. Besides being a great swim coach, he has shown me what hard work looks like and never lets me get lazy. He leads by example, and is always there for me if I need something.
Excellence, Virtue, and Faith are the core themes that we must live up to to achieve the goal of "men for others." I could not be a complete person without any one of them. Faith in Christ and others enables me to act with virtue. And if I act with virtue, I will be an excellent person.
