Notre Dame senior named National Merit Scholarship finalist

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Notre Dame Regional High School announced that senior Nicholas Dial has been named a finalist in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is a nationwide academic competition that began in 1955. More than 1.3 million high school juniors entered the 2026 competition by taking the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT, with the highest-scoring students in each state advancing to finalist standing.

As a finalist, Dial will continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, which will be awarded in spring 2026. Scholarships are funded through the National Merit Scholarship Corp., as well as corporate sponsors and colleges and universities.

School officials congratulated Dial on the academic achievement.