3 Fort Collins Students Win $2,500 National Merit Awards

Three Fort Collins teenagers just proved that hard work and dedication pay off in a big way.

Katharine Glover from Fort Collins High School, Lara M. Seager from Fossil Ridge High School, and Nina E. Goodrich from Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins High School each earned $2,500 National Merit Scholarships this May. They're among just 47 Colorado students to receive the honor this year.

The journey to this achievement started back in October 2024 when these students took the Preliminary SAT as juniors. Their scores placed them among the top performers in Colorado, earning them semifinalist status in a competition where less than 1% of the nation's high school seniors make the cut.

From there, the competition only got tougher. A committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors reviewed their entire academic careers, looking at everything from course difficulty to grades, leadership roles, community contributions, and personal essays.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, the nonprofit behind the program, selected winners from a pool of more than 15,000 finalists across the country. Each state's number of winners reflects its proportion of high school graduates, ensuring fair representation nationwide.

The Ripple Effect

These three scholarships represent just the beginning of this year's National Merit awards season. The program will distribute nearly $24 million to about 6,700 finalists nationwide in 2026, with additional winners announced through the summer.

Each $2,500 scholarship opens doors for these students, reducing financial barriers to higher education and recognizing years of academic commitment. But the impact extends beyond individual achievement. These awards inspire younger students in Fort Collins classrooms who see what's possible with focus and perseverance.

The recognition also highlights the quality of education happening in Fort Collins schools, where teachers and counselors invest countless hours supporting students through rigorous coursework and college preparation.

Their success proves that dedication and academic excellence thrive right here in northern Colorado.