Garden City Public Schools

Garden City High School is proud to announce that three members of its Class of 2026 – Olivia Allsbrook, Sophia Lippens and Sarah Phinney – have been named semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Competition.

Each year, more than 1.3 million students enter the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). From this group, 16,000 students nationwide – representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors – earn the distinction of semifinalist.

To advance to the finalist stage, students must complete a comprehensive scholarship application that highlights their academic achievements, leadership, community involvement, employment and honors. They must also maintain an outstanding academic record, receive a high school official’s recommendation, write an essay and submit SAT or ACT scores that confirm their earlier performance.

Finalists, who represent the nation’s 15,000 most accomplished high school seniors, will then compete for approximately 6,930 National Merit Scholarships totaling nearly $26 million, awarded next spring.

"We are very proud of these students,” said Garden City High School Principal Kevin Steingruebner. “Not only have they worked hard to achieve this academic recognition, but they are also well balanced, participating in activities outside the classroom and serving as leaders."

Congratulations to Olivia, Sophia and Sarah on this incredible honor.