Howland High School is proud to announce that students Laura Awaida, Emilio Cardona Esteves and Elliot Gebhardt have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program, will be presented to these talented students.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although these students will not continue in the 2026 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, they placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the competition by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
“We are incredibly proud of our students who have been named Commended Students in the National Merit Program. This recognition is a testament to their exceptional academic talent, hard work, and dedication. They have not only excelled in their studies but have also demonstrated the kind of intellectual curiosity and perseverance that will serve them well in all their future endeavors. Their achievement is a source of inspiration for our entire school community,” said Howland High School Principal Joseph Simko.