HHS Seniors Named National Merit Finalists

Seniors Beverly Kang and Andrew Gaffin were named 2026 National Merit Finalists. Selected among the top 1% of students nationally named National Merit Semifinalists, finalists have further demonstrated accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Congratulations Beverly and Andrew.

Beverly is a member of the HHS orchestra, recently composed an original score for the Adaptive Theater production of The Empty Pot  and has earned multiple NYSSMA Majors Gold Awards. She is also a female Eagle Scout, taekwondo black belt, varsity golf team captain, Korean school teaching assistant, writing tutor, art club president, and independent planetary researcher. She has conducted independent projects at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, presented at multiple science fairs, and collaborated with professors at Yale and UMass Amherst.

The National Speech and Debate Association ranks Andrew #2 nationally, and #1 in New York State in Lincoln Douglas debate. This year, he earned 7 qualifying bids to the Tournament of Champions, and reached the final round of two of the most competitive championships in the country. Last summer, Andrew was a research intern at Georgetown University conducting original research into Alzheimer's Disease and hyperimmune activation. He is also a talented pianist with a deep appreciation for music and earned his ABRSM Grade 6 in 2024 and is now preparing for Grade 7.