National Merit Finalists Zack Patten ’26 and Cam Hall ’26 with Director of College Counseling Elizabeth Cavallari and Associate Director of College Counseling Christopher Hailey
Hampton Roads Academy is honored to congratulate Cam Hall ’26 and Zack Patten ’26, two exceptional members of the senior class who have been named National Merit Finalists.
This prestigious recognition, awarded by the nonprofit National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), signals that Hall and Patten are among the highest academic achievers not only at their school, but nationwide. Having previously qualified for Semifinalist designation by earning scores in the top 1% of all 1.3 million high school students who took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) in 2024, the two HRA seniors advanced to Finalist standing by meeting several other rigorous academic standards, including strong performance in their coursework, outstanding SAT or ACT scores, and compelling scholarship application essays.
In the fall, Hall and Patten were among a record 20% of the Class of 2026 recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Along with the two then-Semifinalists, an additional seven Navigators were designated National Merit Commended Students.
As Finalists, Hall and Patten will now be considered for the competitive National Merit Scholarship Awards, which will be offered starting in March 2026.
“National Merit Finalist status is one of the highest academic distinctions a high school senior can earn, and it speaks volumes about Zack’s and Cam’s dedication and discipline,” said Director of College Counseling Elizabeth Cavallari, who presented the two seniors with their Certificates of Merit during Upper School Homeroom on Tuesday, February 24. “This recognition reflects years of consistent effort, not only in preparing to excel on the SAT, but in fully engaging in a rigorous academic program and contributing meaningfully to the HRA and local communities.”
Indeed, reaching the final round of the National Merit Scholarship Competition marks just the latest in a series of impressive accomplishments for both Hall and Patten, in the classroom and beyond.
Currently the senior class president, Hall previously served as junior class vice president and was elected a member of the Virginia Boys State House of Delegates. He is also the president of HRA’s Newspaper Club, which he helped to revive during his sophomore year. Active in both athletics and the arts, he has participated in school theatre productions, won four league championships and two Goalie of the Year trophies while playing for the Hampton Roads Whalers and Peninsula Prowl club ice hockey teams, and earned two varsity letters in soccer at HRA.
An equally well-rounded student, Patten is an alumnus of both NASA’s Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars program and the Virginia Governor’s School for Latin. He has played the piano in numerous instrumental concerts and other school events and has frequently been cast in prominent roles on stage at HRA since he was in eighth grade, garnering such accolades as a Virginia Theatre Association Best Actor Award. Patten has distinguished himself in a variety of leadership positions at HRA, including president of the Chess Club, vice chair of the Honor Council, officer of the Forensics Club, and Assistant to the Director of Technology.
Hampton Roads Academy could not be prouder of its National Merit Finalists and the entire talented Class of 2026. Their many remarkable achievements are a testament to their readiness to excel in their academic, professional, and personal lives after graduation.
