Five Manatee County Students Named 2026 National Merit Finalists
Five high-achieving seniors from across Manatee County have been recognized as 2026 National Merit Finalists, placing them among the top 1% of high school students nationwide.
The honorees include Kevin Chen of Braden River High School, Richard Lay of Manatee High School, Benjamin Barr of Palmetto High School, Pearson Walters of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, and Sarah Weis of SCF Collegiate School.
The National Merit Scholarship Program identifies academically talented high school students through their performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, commonly known as the PSAT/NMSQT, taken during the fall of junior year. Approximately 1.3 million students nationwide sat for the exam, with about 16,000 earning semifinalist status.
Selection Index score cutoffs vary by state. In Florida, students needed a score of 219 to qualify this year. By comparison, the cutoff was 210 in states such as Wyoming, New Mexico and North Dakota, and 225 in Massachusetts and New Jersey.
To advance from semifinalist to finalist standing, students must meet additional academic and application requirements, including maintaining strong academic records and submitting detailed scholarship materials. Finalists are then considered for National Merit Scholarships and other awards.
In Florida, eligible National Merit Finalists may qualify for the Benacquisto Scholarship Program, a highly competitive award that covers the full cost of attendance at select in-state institutions. Participating universities include Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Florida State University, New College of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University of Miami, and University of South Florida.
The cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other associated educational expenses. The scholarship provides funding for 100 percent of the credit hours required to complete a baccalaureate degree or until degree completion, whichever comes first. Students may receive the award for up to five years following high school graduation and for no more than 10 semesters, provided they maintain eligibility.
The recognition highlights the academic excellence present across Manatee County’s public and private schools and positions these students for significant scholarship opportunities as they prepare for the next stage of their educational journeys.
