A Brookland-Cayce High School senior has received two national recognitions.
Aimee Lam has been named a candidate in the 2026 US Presidential Scholars Program, and she has been selected as a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
The US Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors some of the most distinguished graduating seniors around the country. Selection is based upon the student’s academic and artistic accomplishments, demonstrated leadership, and participation in school and community. The program was established in 1964 by executive order of the president. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Up to 161 US Presidential Scholars are selected each year from among the group of candidates.
The National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes some of the nation’s top academically talented high school seniors. Lam is one of more than 15,000 finalists, from which 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million will be awarded. High school juniors enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which serves as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. To qualify as finalists, semifinalists must submit a detailed scholarship application that includes their academic record, school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, honors and awards. They also must have a recommendation from a high school official, write an essay, and earn an SAT or ACT score that confirms the student’s academic performance.
