17Shares

5 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Students Among BCPS National Merit Scholarship Winners 3

Sophia G. Alvarez, Joshua W. Brown, Nidhi Bharambe and Ava E. Thomas, who each received a National Merit University of Florida Scholarship, and Sarah E. Rosaler, who earned a National Merit University of Alabama Scholarship. {BCPS}

Broward County Public Schools is celebrating 26 graduating seniors who have earned College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarships, one of the nation’s most prestigious academic honors.

Among the honorees are five students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who were elected by colleges and universities participating in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas recipients are Sophia G. Alvarez, Joshua W. Brown, Nidhi Bharambe and Ava E. Thomas, who each received a National Merit University of Florida Scholarship, and Sarah E. Rosaler, who earned a National Merit University of Alabama Scholarship.

Officials from sponsor colleges selected scholarship winners from among the finalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institutions. The awards recognize outstanding academic achievement, leadership, community involvement and potential for success in higher education.

“Congratulations to these outstanding students for earning one of the nation’s most prestigious academic honors,” BCPS Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn said. “Their achievements reflect years of hard work, dedication and perseverance, as well as the support of their families, teachers and school communities. We are incredibly proud of their success and look forward to the impact they will have in the future.”

This year, 138 higher education institutions are underwriting Merit Scholarship awards through the National Merit Scholarship Program. Sponsor colleges and universities include 69 private and 69 public institutions located in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

The scholarships provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the sponsoring institution. Additional recipients of college-sponsored awards will be announced on July 13.

Other BCPS students receiving College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarships include:

College Academy at Broward College

Elias Waite, National Merit University of Florida Scholarship

Cypress Bay High School

Lucas M. Archibald, National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
Joanna Behling, National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
Bryan Bomfim, National Merit Florida State University Scholarship
Andrew Horsburgh, National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
Andrew Lacayo, National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
Karolos Y. Liveris, National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
Daksh Patel, National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
Emily Sebastian, National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
Ricardo Arturo Sucre Martinez, National Merit Vanderbilt University Scholarship
Sophia Wu, National Merit University of Florida Scholarship

Monarch High School

Steven Strong, National Merit University of Florida Scholarship

Nova High School

Oluebube A. Alutu, National Merit University of Florida Scholarship

Plantation High School

Cristian Daniel Ponce, National Merit Florida Atlantic University Scholarship

Pompano Beach High School

Suhani C. Patel, National Merit Indiana University Bloomington Scholarship
Maurizio Stradiotti, National Merit University of Central Florida Scholarship
Justin Tufo, National Merit Florida State University Scholarship
Michael Drew, National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
Hunter Ryan Millikin, National Merit University of Florida Scholarship

West Broward High School

Chloe Van Smith, National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
Brianna Wells, National Merit University of Florida Scholarship

Send your news to Parkland’s #1 Award-Winning News Source, Parkland Talk. Don’t Miss Tamarac Talk, Coral Springs Talk, Coconut Creek Talk, Margate Talk, and Sunrise FL Talk.

Author Profile

Sharon Aron Baron

Sharon Aron Baron is a Parkland resident and editor of Talk Media. She has been covering Parkland news since 2012. Parkland Talk was created to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Parkland.