Six Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

Indian Springs School is proud to announce the names of six of our seniors who were among the more than 16,000 semifinalists for the 2026 National Merit Scholarships: Josie Butler ’26, Jeremy Kalfus ’26, Sherilyn Kau ’26, Lua Markert ’26, Tuan Tran ’26, and Gus Whatley ’26. 

2026 Semifinalists were selected based on their Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test scores taken in the fall of their junior year. They represent less than one percent of 3.8 million U.S. high school seniors expected to graduate in 2026, and include the highest-scoring entrants in each state. 

To become a National Merit® Finalist, semifinalists must submit a detailed application including their academic records, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, honors, and awards. Semifinalists must also be endorsed by a school official, write an essay, and have outstanding grades throughout high school.

Around 15,000 students are expected to advance to the Finalist level. Finalists will have the opportunity to compete for some 6,930 scholarships worth more than $26 million.

National Merit® Finalists for the Class of 2026 will be named in the spring, with nearly half going on to win a National Merit® Scholarship, which would earn the recipient the Merit Scholar® title.

Congratulations to our 2026 Semifinalists!