Cascades Academy is proud to celebrate senior Kai Sereni for being named a National Merit Finalist in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. This prestigious honor recognizes Kai’s academic excellence through a high Preliminary SAT score.
This year, there are six Semifinalists in Bend hailing from three schools.
Kai’s favorite subject is math, a discipline he enjoys for its logical structure and practical applications. Outside the classroom, Kai thrives as a member of Cascades Academy’s Robotics team, Mystic Biscuit, which he describes as “the most amazing community I’ve ever been a part of.” The experience of collaborating with friends toward competitive goals, while traveling and learning together, has been both rewarding and exciting.
Looking ahead, Kai plans to study computer science and artificial intelligence in college, pursuing his passions in fields that he believes will offer promising career opportunities. Reflecting on his journey at Cascades Academy, Kai credits the school for providing the freedom, resources, and mentorship to pursue his interests. He is especially grateful to his teachers, particularly Jeff Wenger, Paul Snape, and Jan Webb, who have supported and advocated for him throughout his academic journey.
“Being named a National Merit Finalist is an exciting recognition of my hard work,” said Kai.
Less than 1% of the nation’s high school graduating seniors qualify as Semifinalists, with a smaller selection qualifying as Finalists.
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Updated on April 4, 2025