Hampton Bays High School senior Jaime DePalma has been named a semifinalist in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program, earning the distinction through his outstanding performance on the fall 2025 PSAT. 

He is among more than 16,000 semifinalists nationwide, representing less than 1% of students who took the qualifying exam. 

The recognition adds to DePalma’s many academic accomplishments. An AP Scholar with Distinction and recipient of the AP Capstone Diploma, he is a member of his school’s National, Science and Math honor societies. He also serves as president of FBLA and has competed in Science Olympiad, earning a medal during his junior year. 

Beyond academics, DePalma competes on his school’s varsity cross-country, wrestling and tennis teams and serves as captain of both the wrestling and tennis teams. He also participates in Southampton Town’s Youth Court, serving as an attorney and a member of its advisory council. 

DePalma is applying to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, which he hopes to attend next fall.

The Hampton Bays School District congratulates Jaime DePalma on this outstanding achievement.