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Dreher Class of 2026 Graduate Named Merit Scholarship Recipient

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Dreher High School Class of 2026 graduate Ashton Cutler has been named a 2026 National Merit Scholarship winner. The National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes academically talented high school seniors across the country.

Ashton is among the more than 3,500 college-sponsored recipients of the scholarship. He will be attending the University of South Carolina in the fall.

Ashton joins Dreher Class of 2026 graduate Siya Bakshi and A.C. Flora High School Class of 2026 graduate Anna Claire McCain as Richland One’s 2026 National Merit Scholarship recipients.

High school juniors entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors. 

To qualify as finalists, semifinalists must submit a detailed scholarship application which includes their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, honors and awards. They also must have an exemplary high school academic record, be endorsed by a high school official, write an essay and earn an SAT or ACT score that confirms the student’s academic performance. 

National Merit Scholarship winners are selected based on their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in college.  

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Boy smiling

PHOTO: Dreher High School Class of 2026 graduate Ashton Cutler has been named a 2026 National Merit Scholarship winner.