St. Mary’s Dominican High School seniors Natalie Cage, Caroline Cobb, Danielle Morgan, Abigail Nuccio, and Lillian Reyes have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit® Scholar–ship Program. About 34,000 of the 50,000 in each annual National Merit Scholarship Program are named Commended Students based on a national Selection Index qualifying score, applicable to all participants without regard to state-by-state distribution. All National Merit Program participants who score at or above the Commended level but below their selection unit’s Semifinalist qualifying score are designated Commended Students.

In mid-September, NMSP sends principals a list of their school’s Commended Students with Letters of Commendation for presentation to the students. Although Commended Students are honored for their academic promise, they do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarship awards. Some, however, may be candidates for Special Scholarships offered by corporate sponsors.