LEXINGTON, Ky. — Three more outstanding graduates from Fayette County Public Schools have earned college-sponsored awards through the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, continuing a strong showing by the district's Class of 2026.

Liam Gaddis and Samuel Kotter from Henry Clay High School, and Marshall Hamblen from Lafayette High School, were named recipients in the latest round of awards. Gaddis will pursue chemical engineering at the University of Louisville, while Kotter will study engineering at Brigham Young University. Hamblen plans to study mechanical engineering at the University of Kentucky.

The three recipients are among 23 National Merit Scholarship winners announced across Kentucky in this round, part of the final phase of the 2026 competition. Their scholarships will provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study, according to Fayette County Public Schools.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced winners in four waves from April through July, recognizing corporate-sponsored scholarships, $2,500 National Merit scholarships, and college-sponsored awards. In May, five FCPS seniors earned $2,500 National Merit scholarships, while five others secured college-sponsored awards in June.

By mid-summer, roughly 6,700 high school graduates nationwide will have received approximately $24 million in awards, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The awards are underwritten by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, businesses, and colleges, with winners selected based on their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

This represents sustained achievement for Fayette County Public Schools, which produced 43 National Merit Semifinalists in the 2026 competition, positioning the district among Kentucky's leading academic performers.