WC Wisconsin News

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation named seven high school students from West Central Wisconsin among more than 16,000 semifinalists nationwide for the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, according to contest results announced Wed., Sept. 10. The program recognizes students' scholastic abilities and their potential for college success. Winners will be announced in the spring of 2026.

In total, 288 Wisconsin high school students were recognized as semifinalists in this year’s program.

City	High School	Name
La Crosse	Central H. S.	Skiles, Owen
La Crosse	Central H. S.	Toribio, Santi Alberto
Onalaska	Luther H. S.	Falk, Madelyn R.
Onalaska	Onalaska H. S.	Ailiani, Krishna R.
Onalaska	Onalaska H. S.	Keister, Elyse M.
Onalaska	Onalaska H. S.	Matz, Elizabeth J.
River Falls	River Falls H. S.	Baillargeon, Elizabeth R.

Established in 1955, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. NMSC is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and contributions to NMSC are tax deductible by the donor. NMSC conducts the National Merit Scholarship Program, an annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships. 

Since its founding, NMSC has recognized more than 3.6 million students and provided some 490,000 scholarships worth over $1.9 billion. The honors awarded by NMSC to exceptionally able students are viewed as definitive marks of excellence. Recipients of Merit Scholarship awards, Achievement Scholarship awards, and corporate-sponsored Special Scholarships have increased the nation's respect for intellectual accomplishments and have contributed significantly to its talent pool of future leaders.