Denton ISD proudly recognizes the achievements of its students who have been named Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, an honor awarded to fewer than one percent of high school seniors nationwide.
These exceptional students are part of a group of more than 16,000 Semifinalists announced by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) and will now continue in the competition for nearly 7,000 scholarships valued at almost $26 million.
“This recognition reflects not only the talent and determination of our students, but also the dedication of their families and teachers who support them along the way,” said Dr. Susannah O’Bara, Superintendent of Schools. “We are excited to see these students take the next step in this prestigious program and know they will continue to represent Denton ISD with excellence.”
More than 1.3 million juniors in approximately 20,000 U.S. high schools entered the 2026 competition by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). The highest-scoring entrants in each state were named Semifinalists, advancing them to the next round of consideration.
To qualify as Finalists, Semifinalists must submit a comprehensive application that includes academic records, leadership experiences, community involvement, employment, and honors. Students must also achieve SAT or ACT scores that confirm their earlier performance and provide a personal essay. Roughly 95 percent of Semifinalists are expected to advance, with about half ultimately earning the Merit Scholar® title when scholarships are awarded next spring.
Since its founding in 1955, NMSC has overseen the National Merit Scholarship Program to highlight the nation’s top academic performers. Scholarships are supported through NMSC’s own funds and by nearly 300 corporate and college sponsors nationwide who share the goal of encouraging academic excellence. Scholarship winners will be announced in stages beginning in April and concluding in July 2026.
Denton ISD 2026 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists:
Listed alphabetically by campus.
Denton High School
Andersen Trachsel
Guyer High School
Maximus Huang
Zimin Kwon
Cody Rosengren
These students exemplify the academic excellence and leadership that define Denton ISD, reflecting the district’s mission to empower lifelong learners who positively impact their local and global community.
