Harborfields Central School District

The Harborfields Central School District is pleased to announce nine students have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Kyleigh Connors was named a Semifinalist in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program and Joseph Attonito, Harry Diner, Michelle Diner, Jackson Dunham, Joshua Krief, Leo Lin, Riley Lyons, and Griffin Thomas have been named Commended Students. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®), which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to these scholastically talented seniors.

As a finalist, Kyleigh has an opportunity to  continue in the competition for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award,  Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2026 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2026 competition by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). 

"Those being named Semifinalists and Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success," commented a spokesperson for NMSC. ''These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success." 

We congratulate these students on this tremendous accomplishment!