PAW PAW – Paw Paw High School Principal Tammy Southworth recently announced that Leah Graves has been named a Commended Student in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, has been presented to Graves.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation have been recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2026 competition for the National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2026 competition by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” said an NMSC spokesperson. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their education opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
Paw Paw Public Schools Superintendent Jeremy Davison said, “Recognition like this shines a light on the opportunities available to Paw Paw students and the excellence they can achieve with determination and support. Leah’s accomplishment is a wonderful example of what it means to be part of our Pack where we develop, support, challenge, and inspire every learner.”
