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Loyola Academy Senior Named 2026 National Merit Scholarship Winner
For Loyola Academy senior Alex Persohn '26, learning that he was named a 2026 National Merit Scholarship Winner came with both excitement and humility.
"I was super excited," Alex said. "There are so many smart people, so to be chosen to receive the award was just such an honor.”
The prestigious recognition is awarded to only 2,500 students nationwide from a talent pool of more than 15,000 finalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. This award includes $2,500 in scholarship support from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) toward Alex's college education at the University of Notre Dame, where he plans to study physics this fall.
"I was super excited," Alex said. "There are so many smart people, so to be chosen to receive the award was just such an honor.”
The prestigious recognition is awarded to only 2,500 students nationwide from a talent pool of more than 15,000 finalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. This award includes $2,500 in scholarship support from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) toward Alex's college education at the University of Notre Dame, where he plans to study physics this fall.
While the achievement may appear to be the result of a lifelong academic trajectory, Alex says his growth developed over time, especially during his years at Loyola Academy.
"I wasn't always someone trying to get a hundred [percent] on every test," he said. "I've just had so many good teachers push me, especially at Loyola, and encourage that growth over time."
Alex pointed to the relationships fostered in the classroom as a defining part of the Loyola experience. From personalized encouragement from teachers to moments of reflection before class, he says those experiences created an environment where students genuinely wanted to learn.
Throughout his time at Loyola, Alex immersed himself in a wide range of activities that reflected his commitment to becoming a well-rounded student leader. A four-year member of both the football and baseball programs, he credited athletics with helping students build meaningful relationships and strong communities.
"Alex's achievement as a National Merit Scholar reflects not only his exceptional academic ability, but also his intellectual curiosity, humility, and commitment to growth," said Principal Tim Devine '88. "He has embraced every aspect of the Loyola experience — in the classroom, through athletics, and in service to the community — and we are incredibly proud of the way he represents Loyola Academy."
As he prepares for his next chapter at Notre Dame, Alex hopes to continue building on the foundation established during his time at Loyola. Excited by emerging fields such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence, he looks forward to exploring how science and innovation can serve others.
"I think Loyola has been building a great foundation for us," he said. "I just want to continue to be a force for good."
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"I wasn't always someone trying to get a hundred [percent] on every test," he said. "I've just had so many good teachers push me, especially at Loyola, and encourage that growth over time."
Alex pointed to the relationships fostered in the classroom as a defining part of the Loyola experience. From personalized encouragement from teachers to moments of reflection before class, he says those experiences created an environment where students genuinely wanted to learn.
Throughout his time at Loyola, Alex immersed himself in a wide range of activities that reflected his commitment to becoming a well-rounded student leader. A four-year member of both the football and baseball programs, he credited athletics with helping students build meaningful relationships and strong communities.
"Alex's achievement as a National Merit Scholar reflects not only his exceptional academic ability, but also his intellectual curiosity, humility, and commitment to growth," said Principal Tim Devine '88. "He has embraced every aspect of the Loyola experience — in the classroom, through athletics, and in service to the community — and we are incredibly proud of the way he represents Loyola Academy."
As he prepares for his next chapter at Notre Dame, Alex hopes to continue building on the foundation established during his time at Loyola. Excited by emerging fields such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence, he looks forward to exploring how science and innovation can serve others.
"I think Loyola has been building a great foundation for us," he said. "I just want to continue to be a force for good."
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