Babylon Junior-Senior High School is proud to announce that seniors Cassidy Hayes and Aiden Shek have been named a Semifinalist and Commended Student, respectively, in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. The prestigious academic competition honors the highest-scoring students on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which is taken during the student’s junior year.

Cassidy is one of roughly 16,000 semifinalists named nationwide, representing the top one percent of all U.S. high school seniors. This designation provides the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,000 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.Aiden is one of about 34,000 Commended Students recognized for their exceptional academic promise, placing him among the top five percent of scorers in the country.

“Congratulations to Cassidy and Aiden for this outstanding academic achievement,” said Principal Al Cirone. “This recognition is a testament to the pair’s hard work, intellectual curiosity, and dedication to excellence.”

For more information about the Babylon Union Free School District, please visit the District’s website at www.babylon.k12.ny.us. Exciting activities happening throughout the District and programs celebrating student achievement can also be found on the District’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/babylonschooldistrict/ and Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/babylonufsd.