By Julia Welter
Eighteen Irvington High School seniors have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program for outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, with two named Semifinalists and sixteen named Commended Students in the 2026 competition cycle.
Irvington’s two National Merit Semifinalists are seniors Josh Greenbarg and Maddie Okun. Both students were honored by the Board of Education on October 28 for achieving one of the most selective academic recognitions in the country. Fewer than one percent of U.S. high school seniors earn Semifinalist status each year. Semifinalists represent the highest scorers in each state based on PSAT/NMSQT results, and Greenbarg and Okun now have the opportunity to advance in the competition for National Merit Scholarship awards this spring.
Principal Jon Hirsch praised both students for their mindset and work ethic.
“This distinction recognizes years of hard work and dedication,” Hirsch said. “Both students have demonstrated a genuine love of learning and a strong commitment to academic excellence. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments and the way they represent Irvington High School.”
In addition to the two Semifinalists, sixteen Irvington seniors have been named National Merit Commended Students. The honored students are Lucy Acharekar, Max Bloom, Noah Brenner, Anna Dorokhova, Simran Jain, Kai Johnston, Chunghyun Kawata, Brian Kim, Jordana Laks, Daisy Lamb, Alyssa Magallon, Sebastien Marcotte, Lila Nolan, Mark Rothman, Julia Welter, and Sara Welter.
The Commended Student designation is awarded to high-achieving students who placed among the top 50,000 scorers out of more than 1.3 million juniors nationwide who took the PSAT/NMSQT in 2024. While Commended Students do not advance to the finalist round, the recognition is a national indicator of academic excellence.
Irvington High School congratulates all eighteen students, their families, and the teachers who have supported their academic journeys.
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