Eleven Orange County seniors have earned a place among the nation’s top scholars after being named 2026 National Merit Scholarship winners and securing college-sponsored awards to attend prestigious academic institutions.
The Orange County Register reported more than 2,500 scholarship recipients selected nationwide through the National Merit Scholarship Program, which will award more than $24 million in scholarships this year for students who intend to enroll at the college or university that sponsors them.
Seven of Orange County’s winners earned scholarships to attend USC, while others received awards tied to Vanderbilt University, Pomona College and Indiana University Bloomington. The recipients represent schools across the county, including campuses in the Irvine, Placentia-Yorba Linda and Capistrano unified school districts.
To qualify, students first scored among the top one percent on the Preliminary SAT and National Merit Scholarship qualifying test in their respective states. After advancing in the competition, they were evaluated on their academic records, leadership, school and community involvement, essays and letters of recommendation before being selected for college-sponsored scholarships.
Without further ado, here are the 2026 Orange County National Merit Scholarship recipients:
- Daniel Hwang, Oxford Academy, Anaheim Union High School District (National Merit USC Scholarship)
- Paul Y. Seo, Orange County School of the Arts (National Merit Vanderbilt University Scholarship)
- Xiao Jiang, University High School, Irvine Unified School District (National Merit USC Scholarship)
- Raymond Kuang, Sage Hill High School (National Merit USC Scholarship)
- Pragnya Ramkumar, Northwood High School, Irvine Unified School District (National Merit USC Scholarship)
- Nicole T. Ye, Northwood High School, Irvine Unified School District (National Merit Vanderbilt University Scholarship)
- Garrett Martin McCormick, Aliso Viejo High School, Capistrano Unified School District (National Merit USC Scholarship)
- Connor Smith, Tesoro High School, Capistrano Unified School District (National Merit USC Scholarship)
- Hansford B. Warner V, JSerra Catholic High (National Merit Indiana University Bloomington Scholarship)
- Noah Choi, Valencia High School, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (National Merit Pomona College Scholarship)
- Mikayla Joyce Wang, Yorba Linda High School, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (National Merit USC Scholarship)
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- A June 3 presentation to the Orange County Board of Education revealed that California’s education funding outlook has improved following the release of the governor’s revised budget proposal, while long-term economic uncertainty remains.
- The Orange County AVID college-readiness program recently recognized 68 eighth-grade students for their academic achievement, leadership and perseverance, while eight students were awarded $10,000 scholarships from the Angels Baseball Foundation to support their future educational goals.
- A panel of local civic and education leaders — including County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean — will gather to discuss civic literacy and democratic participation as the nation prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence next month.
- Capistrano Valley High School’s new stadium has officially been completed in time to host the Class of 2026 graduation ceremony along with future athletic competitions and community events.
- Huntington Beach Union High School District’s Fountain Valley High School has promoted assistant principal Casey Harelson to a new role, preparing to serve as principal for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year.
- Ten seniors from Los Alamitos High School were recently honored as Class of 2026 valedictorians during a signing ceremony to celebrate their academic success and plans following graduation.
- On June 14, 15-year-old Clovis Hung will become the youngest graduate to earn a degree from the UC Irvine’s School of Humanities.
- New research suggests that increased remote work opportunities since the pandemic may contribute to higher unemployment rates among recent college graduates entering the workforce, according to a report from LAist.
- EdSource reported that early election results in the race for state superintendent of public instruction indicate that candidates Sonja Shaw and Richard Barrera will look toward advancing to the November general election.
- Student filmmakers from San Clemente High School showcased their creativity and storytelling skills during the annual Triton Film Festival, where they earned multiple awards for their original productions.
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