Blue gradient background with dark blue and black confetti-like speckles at the top. White outlined border around the graphic. At the top, large white cursive text reads: “Congratulations!” Below, bold white text with underline says: “2026 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.” A centered list of names follows in smaller white text: Abraham Baldwin: Central Aakash Bhattacharyya: Central Aarush Gaddi: Central Gauri Ghate: Central Sohan Jayappa: Central Thomas Miller: Central Moojun Min: Central Sreedev Raghav: Central Noah Sajovitz: Central Siddharth Sridharan: Central Eric Tang: Central Naira Tariq: Central Ashira Thadisana: Central Harper Avery: Parkview At the bottom right corner, the LRSD logo (shield shape with a torch and “LRSD” text inside) appears in white.

Several LRSD Seniors Recognized as 2026 National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Scholars

LRSD

September 18, 2025

The Little Rock School District is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of students from Central High School and Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School who have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

A total of 14 LRSD seniors have been named National Merit Semifinalists, placing them among the top one percent of high school students nationwide. These students now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for nearly 7,000 scholarships worth more than $26 million to be awarded next spring.

2026 National Merit Semifinalists

Central High School

  • Abraham Baldwin

  • Aakash Bhattacharyya

  • Aarush Gaddi

  • Gauri Ghate

  • Sohan Jayappa

  • Thomas Miller

  • Moojun Min

  • Sreedev Raghav

  • Noah Sajovitz

  • Siddharth Sridharan

  • Eric Tang

  • Naira Tariq

  • Ashira Thadisena

Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School

  • Harper Avery

In addition, eight Central High seniors have been recognized as National Merit Commended Scholars. These students scored among the top 50,000 nationwide on the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT, a distinction awarded to about 34,000 students across the country. While Commended Students do not continue in the scholarship competition, they each receive a Letter of Commendation from NMSC for their exceptional academic promise.

2026 National Merit Commended Scholars 

Central High School

  • Johathan Alvarez

  • Amber Bae

  • Sai Srinitya Bhrugubanda

  • Rini Eluvathingal

  • Parker Howard

  • Jayden Leamons

  • Daniel McElderry

  • Brandon Zhang

Congratulations to these students for their dedication, scholarship, and commitment to excellence.