![LHWHS National Merit Semifinalists]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1757683946/ladueschoolsnet/dmxsb3ncdkwcsuxfttdh/NationalMeritSemifinalists_Thumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1757683946/ladueschoolsnet/dmxsb3ncdkwcsuxfttdh/NationalMeritSemifinalists_Thumbnail.png","width":512}])
A Tradition of Excellence: 21 LHWHS Seniors Advance as National Merit Semifinalists
Twenty-one students from Ladue Horton Watkins High School are among the more than 16,000 semifinalists nationwide for the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.
The following students have earned the honor of advancing to the next stage of this prestigious academic competition:
- Sanjay Adireddi
- Frank Chen
- Aronno Dutta
- Miles Grossman (not pictured)
- Gavin Hofer
- Max Karsh
- Eva Kaul
- Aaron Lin
- Abhiram Madala (not pictured)
- Aalaa Mahmoud
- Urmil Patel
- Isabella Plumb
- Owen Prange
- Aiden Qian
- Ira Rodrigues
- Jason Shi
- Luke Ye
- William Yin
- Anthony Zhao
- Celina Zhou
- Rex Zhu
These academically talented seniors are now eligible to compete for nearly 7,000 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $26 million, to be awarded in spring 2026.
To become a Finalist, semifinalists must submit a detailed application that includes their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership, honors, and recommendations from a high school official. About 95 percent of semifinalists are expected to advance to Finalist standing, and approximately half of all Finalists will go on to win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the prestigious title of Merit Scholar.
The Ladue School District congratulates these outstanding students on this remarkable academic achievement and wishes them the best as they continue in the competition.
