The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has named 13 St. Tammany Parish Public School students as 2026 National Merit Semifinalists.

These high school students, whose scores ranked among the top 1% in the U.S., will compete for prestigious National Merit Scholarships later this school year.

This year’s semifinalists are Alex Chehebar and Jason Gammage of Fontainebleau High; Marissa Mechler of Lakeshore High; Aditiya Babbar, Jack Griffith, Sophia Margavio, William McClain, Christian O'Callaghan, Bennett Parnell and William Peters of Mandeville High; and Ethan Pinson, Leah Tra, and Nolan Vo of Northshore High.

In the last 15 years, a total of 188 St. Tammany public high school students have been recognized as National Merit Semifinalists.

“Thirteen National Merit Semifinalists is an i

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