Two Reitz High School Seniors Named 2026 National Merit Finalists

Reitz High School is proud to announce that seniors Dharbi Byrne-Bodart and Callie Tyler have been named Finalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. This prestigious distinction places them among the top academic performers in the United States.

Byrne-Bodart and Tyler emerged from a pool of over 1.3 million program entrants who took the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT. As Finalists, they represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, joining an elite group of approximately 15,000 students nationwide who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Achieving Finalist status requires significantly more than a high test score. To advance from Semifinalist to Finalist standing, they were required to submit a detailed scholarship application, which included:

• Evidence of an outstanding academic record throughout grades 9 through 12.

• A written recommendation and endorsement from a high school official.

• A personal essay describing her activities, interests, and goals.

• SAT or ACT scores that confirmed her earlier performance on the qualifying test.

Please join us in congratulating Dharbi Byrne-Bodart and Callie Tyler on this outstanding achievement.