Each year, high school juniors across the country enter the National Merit Scholarship Competition by taking the PSAT/NMSQT. For the 2026 competition, approximately 1.3 million students entered nationwide.

Of those 1.3 million students, just over 16,000 were named National Merit Semifinalists, representing about 1.2% of entrants and less than 1% of graduating seniors nationwide. Semifinalists are among the highest-scoring entrants in their respective states.

This year, two of those National Merit Semifinalists are Kingswood Oxford Wyverns: Ben Naujoks and Kenneth Sohn.

Semifinalists can now continue in the scholarship competition by submitting an application that includes their academic record, school and community involvement, leadership, and honors and awards.