Erin Helmuth and Elias Kehr have been selected by the National Merit Corporation as scholarship finalists. They were among eight semifinalists from Elkhart County and about 16,000 nationwide (out of 1.5 million) . Bethany has had 15 finalists over the past ten years, which is five times the national average.

Erin Helmuth is the daughter of Ray and Sonja Gyori-Helmuth. At Bethany she has participated in soccer, basketball, cross country, the Academic Superbowl math team, and orchestra. She has served on the school newspaper staff, as class officer, and as a student Rotarian.

Elias Kehr is the son of Bryan and Anita Kehr. At Bethany he has participated in soccer, the Academic Superbowl social studies team, orchestra, and Bruin Jazz. He has served on the school newspaper staff and performed in two school plays: Dead Man Walking and The Crucible.

In addition, five students from Bethany were previously selected as 2009 National Merit Commended Students.

• Lewis Caskey is the son of Jim and Lisa Caskey. He is co-president of the school body association, a Student Rotarian, and a member of the boys soccer team and Jubilate Singers. He has performed in Godspell and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
• Si Gustafson-Zook is the son of Gwen and Les Gustafson-Zook. He is a member of Jubilate Singers, the chess team, Eco Club, and Peace Society.
• Andew Shenk is the son of Dale and Trish Shenk. He is editor of the school newspaper and has performed in Dead Man Walking, Godspell, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and Over the River and Through the Woods.
• Jonathan Shenk is the son of Phil and Alice Shenk. He is a member of the boys tennis team and Jubilate Singers.
• Lynelle Yoder is the daughter of James and Trish Yoder. She is editor of the school yearbook, a Student Rotarian, concertmistress of the orchestra, and a member of the girls soccer team.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation reports that "about 34,000 commended students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2009 competition for National Merit Scholarships, commended students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2009 competition by taking the 2007 PSAT/NMSQT."