St. Mary's Academy Principal Patricia Barr has announced that four talented students have been named finalists in the 51st annual National Merit® Scholarship Program. Ranked in the top one percent of Oregon students, these young women were among 15,000 semifinalists and will continue to compete nationally for some 8,200 Merit Scholarship® awards. Worth $33.9 million, these awards will be presented and announced this spring. Finalists are Avery Bell, Hailey Flanigan, Katherine Peaslee, and Martha Preston.

These students were selected based on their academic record of very high performance, endorsement and recommendation by the school's principal, and earning SAT scores that confirm the student's test performance. A college counselor worked with each student to submit a detailed scholarship application including a student essay and information about participation and leadership in school and community activities. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

In the Class of 2005, St. Mary's had three National Merit® Scholarship Program Finalists, ten National Merit® Commended Students, and one National Achievement Scholarship Scholar.

Founded in 1859 by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, St. Mary’s Academy of Portland, is Oregon’s oldest continuously operating secondary school and one of 716 all-female schools in the country. The student body represents a diverse background of young women from over 30 urban, suburban, and rural communities in Oregon and Southwest Washington. St. Mary’s Academy is distinguished by its development of the whole person, and is the only school in the state to receive three U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools awards.