Anne Marie De Oleo Mayorga and Daniel Zheng from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

The National Merit Scholarship Program honors exceptional academic talent nationwide. Commended Students place among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.3 million students who entered the 2026 competition by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta said, “This recognition speaks to the hard work and perseverance of our students. Their commitment to learning and achievement is a source of pride for our entire school community.”

Commended Students are recognized for their exceptional academic promise and represent some of the nation’s most capable high school students. While they will not continue in the 2026 competition for National Merit Scholarships, their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT places them among the top students in the country.