
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

Related
NewsJune 10, 2026Parkland Crime Blotter: Deputies Disperse Massive House Party of 500 Juveniles
NewsJune 10, 2026Young Anglers Set for ‘Reel Fun’ at Parkland’s Annual Fishing Derby Series
NewsJune 9, 2026Parkland Invites Families to Enjoy Movies Under the Stars at Pine Trails Park
NewsJune 9, 2026Parkland Recognizes Kaysia Earley for Community Service and Humanitarian Work







