Park City High School Celebrates Seven National Merit Semifinalists for the Class of 2026

Park City, UT — September 10, 2025 — Park City School District is pleased to announce that seven Park City High School seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists for the Class of 2026. This year’s honorees are Nolan Conneally, Cohen Flach, Henry Hayes, Weijia Li, Owen Osorio, Sonja Preston, and Parker Taix, who now advance in the prestigious competition for National Merit Scholarships.

The National Merit Scholarship Program, established in 1955, recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. More than 1.3 million juniors in over 21,000 high schools entered the program by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). Only about 16,000 students, less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors, qualify as semifinalists each year.

“This recognition is an incredible achievement,” said Caleb Fine, Park City High School Principal. “Out of more than 4 million seniors nationwide, these seven students represent the top 0.4% academically. Their hard work, discipline, and commitment to excellence have earned them a place among the nation’s best. We are humbled to be part of their story and proud to see them represent Park City High School so well.”

Fine emphasized that the achievement reflects not only individual dedication, but also the support of families, educators, and the broader Park City community:

“It takes a team and a village to reach this level of success. This is a proud moment for parents, teachers, and our community. These students are leaders inside and outside of the classroom, and their accomplishments open doors to new scholarships, college opportunities, and a future filled with potential.”

Counselors at Park City High School will continue to guide the semifinalists through the process as they advance to the finalist stage. Finalists will be announced in February 2026, and scholarship winners will be named beginning in April.

“This year, we have seven semifinalists compared to one last year,” Fine added. “That growth is a testament to the commitment of our students and the high standards of education in Park City.”

We look forward to celebrating the continued success of these students as they move forward in the National Merit Scholarship Program.