Diego B. ’26 and Phoebe M. ’26 Named National Merit $2500 Scholarship Winners

Canterbury School is proud to celebrate an incredible academic achievement for the Class of 2026: both of Canterbury’s National Merit Scholarship Finalists, Diego B. ’26 and Phoebe M. ’26, have now been named National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners!

Diego and Phoebe were selected from a nationwide talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. Only 2,500 students across the country earn this distinction, making this recognition an extraordinary honor and a powerful reflection of their academic excellence, leadership, and potential.

National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners are chosen as the Finalists in each state, judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and promise for success in rigorous college studies. The selection committee, made up of college admissions officers and high school counselors, reviews each student’s academic record, PSAT/NMSQT scores, leadership and service, essay, and school recommendation.

This year’s competition began in October 2024, when high school juniors across the country took the PSAT/NMSQT. The highest-scoring students in each state, representing less than one percent of the nation’s high school seniors, were named Semifinalists last fall. More than 15,000 students then advanced to Finalist standing after meeting the program’s rigorous academic and application requirements.

By the end of the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, approximately 6,700 Finalists will have earned the title of Merit Scholar and received nearly $24 million in college scholarships.

Congratulations to Diego and Phoebe on this remarkable achievement. Canterbury is thrilled to celebrate two outstanding Cougars whose hard work, talent, and dedication continue to shine on a national stage!