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National Merit Scholars 2026

 CENTER GROVE HIGH SCHOOL
National Merit Scholars 2026

 Semifinalists

CGHS Seniors Named National Merit Semifinalist

Four outstanding Center Grove High School students have been named Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. Mohammed Khan, Ivy McClimon, Andra Veleta, and Kelli Wang are among more than 16,000 Semifinalists nationwide in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Fewer than one percent of U.S. high school seniors achieve this prestigious recognition.

The students earned this honor based on their outstanding performance on the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. To advance to Finalist standing, each Semifinalist must fulfill additional requirements, including

submitting a detailed scholarship application with information about their academic record,

participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment history, and honors received. They must also write an essay and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm their earlier performance.

Approximately 95 percent of Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, with about half of the Finalists winning National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million total. Winners will be announced in April 2026.