Senior Hayes Parsa, a day student from Rome, is among the 15,000 students nationwide to be named finalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered this spring.
"I am very proud of Hayes for being named a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program," said Director of Upper School Chad Woods. "Hayes is an outstanding member of the Darlington Community and the Class of 2026, and it is an honor for his hard work and commitment to excellence to be recognized. We wish him the best of luck as he competes for scholarships in the spring."
Recently named a STAR Student, Parsa has taken 24 Honors and AP courses at Darlington and was named an AP Scholar with Distinction by The College Board. He serves as Honor Council president, head day prefect for Summerbell House, editor-in-chief of the Darlingtonian student newspaper, co-president of the Servant Leadership Committee, and is a Tiger Tutor and class representative on the Student Council. He is also a four-year varsity runner on the cross country and track and field teams. He is the son of Suzanne and Dr. Cyrus Parsa of Rome.
Around 50 percent of the finalists are expected to win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the title of Merit Scholar. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethinic origin, or religious preference.
National Merit Scholarship winners of 2026 will join more than 375,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.
