Newtown High School (NHS) Principal Kimberly Longobucco announced the eight NHS seniors recognized as Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program on Friday, September 19.

Lauren Allen, Jack Carta, Sonya Feder, Katherine Lye, Riana Mason, Nikita Mukka, Ryan Payne, and Aidan Tucker gathered in the school’s counseling office early Friday morning. There, they were excitedly greeted by Longobucco, guidance counselors, and other NHS staff members.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition among high school students for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships that started in 1955. Students entered into the 2026 competition by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test last fall.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are recognized for their exceptional academic promise. While they will not compete in the 2026 competition for the National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered by taking the required national tests last fall.

Longobucco read a letter from National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which manages the program. It said the Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success.

“We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success,” Longobucco read.

Afterwards, Longobucco presented each student with their own Letter of Commendation from NHS and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Everyone else in the guidance office clapped and cheered for the students as they received their letters.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.