Four Cobb County School District seniors are among the first group of winners named recipients of prestigious corporate-sponsored scholarships through the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, recognizing their outstanding academic achievement and future potential.
Krishna Anand of Marietta, a senior at Campbell High School in Smyrna, earned a National Merit Truist Scholarship with plans to pursue a career in economics.
Ritvik Ranjan of Marietta, a senior at Wheeler High School, also received a National Merit Truist Scholarship. His probable career field is mathematics.
Jerry T. Xu of Marietta, a senior at Walton High School, was awarded a National Merit State Farm Companies Foundation Scholarship. He plans to pursue a career in law.
Owen Alexander of Smyrna, a senior at Campbell High School, earned a National Merit Rheem Manufacturing Company Scholarship. He plans to pursue a career in applied mathematics.
These students are among approximately 700 high school seniors nationwide selected to receive corporate-sponsoredawards in the first announcement of winners in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Corporate sponsors, including Truist Financial Corporation, the State Farm Companies Foundation, and Rheem Manufacturing Company, provide scholarships to finalists who meet specific criteria, such as career interests, academic performance, or community connections.
The National Merit Scholarship Program began with students who took the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT as juniors. Roughly 16,000 students were named Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. More than 15,000 advanced to Finalist standing, and approximately 6,700 students nationwide will ultimately receive National Merit Scholarships totaling nearly $24 million. Most corporate-sponsored awards are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study and may be used at any accredited U.S. college or university.
The Cobb County School District congratulates these students for their exceptional accomplishments and looks forward to their continued success.
