4 Arkansas Seniors Win National Merit Scholarships

Four high school seniors from Arkansas's River Valley area are heading to college with National Merit Scholarships in hand, joining an elite group of America's top academic achievers.

The students, announced Wednesday by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, come from Fort Smith Northside, Fort Smith Southside, and Alma High School. Their scholarships provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at major universities.

Cody Goodson from Fort Smith Northside scored a perfect 36 on the ACT and earned a scholarship from the University of Oklahoma. He plans to study astrophysics and unlock the mysteries of the universe.

Justin Han and Schuyler Henehan, both from Fort Smith Southside, received scholarships from the University of Arkansas. Han will pursue neuroscience while Henehan studies electrical engineering.

Blake Matthew Holsted from Mountainburg, who attends Alma High School, also earned a University of Arkansas scholarship for mechanical engineering. These four students beat odds that would make any lottery winner jealous.

The journey to this achievement started when these students took the PSAT as juniors in 2024. More than 16,000 students nationwide advanced to semifinalist standing, representing less than 1% of graduating seniors.

From there, the competition only got tougher. Students submitted detailed scholarship applications, maintained stellar academic records, and demonstrated leadership through extracurricular activities. They also needed glowing recommendations from school officials.

The Ripple Effect

These four scholarships represent more than individual achievement. They showcase the strength of River Valley schools and inspire younger students to dream bigger.

Across Arkansas, 63 students earned college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships in this round. Nationally, more than 2,500 students received awards from 138 participating colleges and universities.

By the competition's end, approximately 6,700 students nationwide will receive National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million total. Additional college-sponsored scholarship recipients will be announced in July.

These River Valley students prove that world-class academic talent thrives in communities of all sizes.