DCSD is home to many graduating seniors whose academic success and personal qualities have earned them valuable scholarships. Congratulations!
2026 Scholarship Winners
DCSD Celebrates National Merit College-Sponsored Scholarship Winners
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation released today the names of the third group of winners in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among the National Merit finalists who plan to attend their institution. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.
Congratulations to the following DCSD students:
- Ian Weiner, Rock Canyon High School - plans to study civil engineering at the University of Oklahoma
- Unnati Mishra, Rock Canyon High School - plans to study biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California
- Owen Bissell, Rock Canyon High School - plans to study engineering at Texas A&M University
Recipients of the second and final round of National Merit college-sponsored awards will be announced on July 13.
DCSD Home to National Merit $2,500 Winners
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation released the names of winners in the annual National Merit Scholarship Program, including six from the Douglas County School District.
These students are the recipients of a National Merit $2,500 scholarship, selected from a talent pool of more than 15,000 finalists. They have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Congratulations to these outstanding DCSD scholars!
- Carter FitzGerald, Mountain Vista High School - is undecided
- Arshia Koul, Rock Canyon High School - plans to study computer science
- Aiden McCullum, Mountain Vista High School - plans to study transportation and storage management
- Caleb Olson, Mountain Vista High School - plans to study biochemistry
- Hannah Zhang, Rock Canyon High School - plans to study chemical engineering
- Saanvi Yadav, Chaparral High School - plans to study applied mathematics
Recipients of the National Merit college-sponsored scholarships will be announced in June and July.
Boettcher Foundation Honors Outstanding DCSD Students
The Boettcher Foundation today announced its 2026 Class of Boettcher Scholars, a distinguished group of 50 Colorado high school graduates whose achievements and leadership are already creating meaningful change across the state. The Douglas County School District (DCSD) is proud to congratulate three DCSD graduates for earning this prestigious scholarship that aims to retain Colorado’s inspiring high school graduates within the state for their college education.
Congratulations to these outstanding DCSD students!
- Abhiman Gowda, Rock Canyon High School - plans to attend the University of Colorado Boulder
- Aariyaka Jain, Mountain Vista High School - plans to attend the University of Colorado Boulder
- Brogan Meyers, ThunderRidge High School - plans to attend the University of Colorado Boulder
As Boettcher scholars, these students will receive an $80,000 scholarship award across four years, along with institutional, merit and/or need-based aid.
“As we welcome the 2026 Boettcher Scholars from across Colorado, we feel inspired and hopeful for the future of our state. These exceptional students embody the leadership and service that define Colorado’s legacy,” said Vanessa Roman, director of scholarships & foundation programs. “Their communities have clearly helped shape who they are today, and we’re excited to see how they will, in turn, shape Colorado in the years ahead.”
Scholars are selected based on academic excellence, leadership, service and character.
DCSD Congratulates National Merit Corporate Scholarship Winner
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation released the names of the first group of winners in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Only nine students in Colorado are being recognized for their educational excellence with corporate-sponsored awards, with one of those coming from the Douglas County School District.
Congratulations to outstanding DCSD scholar Joshua Neill. Joshua currently attends Castle View High School and plans to study computer engineering.
Joshua is the recipient of a National Merit corporate-sponsored award. Corporate sponsors provide scholarships for students who are children of their employees, who are residents of communities the company serves, or who plan to pursue college majors or careers the sponsor wishes to encourage. Most of these awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per year. Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $10,000.
By the conclusion of this year’s competition, more than 6,700 academic champions will have won National Merit Scholarships worth approximately $24 million. Recipients of the National Merit $2,500 scholarships will be announced on May 13.
DCSD Seniors Selected for Prestigious Scholarship
DCSD seniors are well on their way to college with a prestigious scholarship paving the way.
Eight DCSD students are recipients of the Daniels Fund Scholarship. Recipients can attend any accredited nonprofit college or university in the United States. The Daniels Scholarship offers three funding options to help students attend the college of their choice while keeping debt to a minimum, and typically, eliminating it. Funds can be used for qualified educational expenses, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and miscellaneous educational expenses. If Daniels Scholars attend a partner school or are enrolled in a partner program, the Daniels Fund and the institution combine funding to cover up to the full cost of attendance.
Students are selected for their strength of character, leadership potential, commitment to service and academic promise. Congratulations to these outstanding DCSD students!
- Hannah Knight, Castle View High School
- Ethan Quintana, Chaparral High School
- Grace Gardner, Highlands Ranch High School
- Charlotte Ratcliff, Legend High School
- Isaak Vaughan, Mountain Vista High School
- Michelle Munkhtulga, Rock Canyon High School
- Ashton Stamp, Rock Canyon High School
- Alison Allums, SkyView Academy
Scholars uphold the values Bill Daniels cherished: ethics and integrity, honesty, respect, reliability, entrepreneurial spirit, belief in free enterprise, patriotism, and excellence.
Learn more about the Daniels Scholarship Program
Missy Martin Scholarship
The Missy Martin Scholarship Future Hope Foundation was established on behalf of the former Douglas County High School student after she survived a tragic accident resulting in her sustaining a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Each year, a ceremony is held at Douglas County High School where Missy and her family celebrate students from five high schools in the Douglas County School District by presenting each with a $3,000 scholarship. To date, the Missy Martin Scholarship Future Hope Foundation has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships. Congratulations to the following deserving DCSD students who are being recognized for overcoming hardship and demonstrating unwavering determination!
- Julie Aguilera, Rock Canyon High School: Julie plans to attend Colorado State University next year with the goal of studying mechanical engineering.
- Milan Bergen, Castle View High School: Milan would like to study political science and become a lawyer.
- Joshua Gilson, Douglas County High School: Joshua plans to attend The Fab School in California to pursue training in welding and build a successful career in the field.
- Janessa Manuel, Ponderosa High School: Janessa plans to attend the University of Northern Colorado to pursue a degree in psychology with the goal of becoming a therapist or clinical psychologist.
- Kasper Skonieczny, Mountain Vista High School: Kasper plans to attend the University of Colorado Boulder to pursue a degree in electrical engineering.
DCSD Celebrates National Merit College-Sponsored Scholarship Winners
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation released today the names of the third group of winners in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among the National Merit finalists who plan to attend their institution. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.
Congratulations to the following DCSD students:
-
Ian Weiner, Rock Canyon High School - plans to study civil engineering at the University of Oklahoma
-
Unnati Mishra, Rock Canyon High School - plans to study biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California
-
Owen Bissell, Rock Canyon High School - plans to study engineering at Texas A&M University
Recipients of the second and final round of National Merit college-sponsored awards will be announced on July 13.