2026 National Merit
Nine Commended Students
Nine Seniors Honored in 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program
We are thrilled to announce that nine seniors from John Paul II High School have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit® Scholarship Program. This recognition is a testament to their exceptional academic promise and outstanding performance on the qualifying test for the program.
The following students have been recognized for this prestigious honor:
- Karson M. Aronsson
- Theresa Devasia
- Liam Edelryd
- Jack Houstoun
- Isabella King
- Justin Melek
- Andrew Peterson
- Graham Preissler
- Noah Tippit
These scholastically talented seniors will be presented with a Letter of Commendation from both the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) to celebrate their achievement.
About the Recognition
Students entered the nationwide competition by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) last October. In April, the NMSC identified the 50,000 highest scorers from across the country.
National Merit Scholarship Corporation
While about 16,000 of those high performers were designated Semifinalists, these nine students are among the 34,000 high performers now being named Commended Students. Commended Students are participants who scored at or above the national Commended Student Selection Index score of 210 but below their state's Semifinalist cutoff. Although they will not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, this honor places them among the top 50,000 students who entered the competition.
An NMSC spokesperson commented on the significance of this award: "Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success. These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is crucial to advancing educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success."
Please join us in congratulating these remarkable students on their outstanding academic achievement. We are incredibly proud of them and look forward to their continued success.
Be Part of Our Journey
Join us in celebrating our Commended Scholars and become part of a community committed to excellence, faith, and leadership. Let JPII guide you in achieving your dreams and making a positive impact in the world.
We invite prospective students and families to learn more about the opportunities JPII offers. Discover a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to excel and grow in all areas of life.