Senior Hayes Parsa, a day student from Rome, is among the 16,000 students nationwide to be named semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.
"I am very proud of Hayes for being named a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program," said Director of Upper School Chad Woods. "Hayes is an outstanding member of the Darlington Community and the Class of 2026, and it is an honor for his hard work and commitment to excellence to be recognized. We wish him the best of luck as he competes for scholarships in the spring."
Parsa has taken seven Honors and 11 AP courses at Darlington. He is currently enrolled in six AP courses. Parsa serves as Honor Council president, head day prefect of Summerbell House, editor-in-chief of the Darlingtonian student newspaper, Servant Leadership Committee co-president, and is a Tiger Tutor and class representative on the Student Council. He is also a four-year varsity runner on the cross country and track and field teams. He is the son of Suzanne and Dr. Cyrus Parsa of Rome.
Close to 95 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and around half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the title of Merit Scholar. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethinic origin, or religious preference.
National Merit Scholarship winners of 2026 will be announced beginning in February. These scholarships will join more than 375,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.
