Education
The University of West Florida welcomed two National Merit Finalists this fall, raising the total to 20 students since 2017. Jack Treick of Cantonment and Micaiah Henry of Kenai, Alaska, are among roughly 16,000 finalists nationwide out of an estimated 1.3 million high school students who entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship competition.
The Finalists
James Donald “Jack” Treick is a mechanical engineering major from Cantonment. He said UWF’s research, internship and personal project support drew him in, and he pointed to the university’s ties with the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition and American Magic as proof of the internship opportunities nearby.
Micaiah Henry is an exercise science major who wants a career in prosthetics and orthotics. Her story is a reminder of what the award can mean.
“Before receiving the National Merit Scholarship, college was nowhere in my plans for the future because it was too expensive.” Micaiah Henry
What the Award Covers
The National Merit Finalist scholarship is UWF’s top award, valued at more than $50,000. It includes:
- Full tuition
- Room and board
- An $800-per-semester book stipend
- A research or study abroad experience
Six Pace Presidential Scholars
UWF also held its annual President’s Scholarship Competition. It awards top Florida-resident incoming freshmen who show leadership potential with the Pace Presidential Scholarship, offered with Florida Bright Futures. It covers on-campus room and board, tuition, an $800 book stipend and a research or study abroad experience, also valued at more than $50,000.
The 2026 recipients:
- Laila Chavarrie Service, clinical laboratory sciences, Gulf Breeze High School
- Asher Colley, natural science, Spanish River Community High School
- Elizabeth Ellis, biomedical science, Milton High School
- Kamryn Gibbs, pre-BSN, West Florida High School
- Elijah Riffell, electrical engineering, Pace High School
- Alexis Walders, pre-BSN, Pace High School
Five Argo Spirit Scholars
UWF created the Argo Spirit Scholarship in 2019. It is a competitive full ride for first-time-in-college freshmen who have overcome obstacles, fought for something important and made an impact in high school.
The 2026 recipients:
- Marcus Cadet, cybersecurity, Atlantic Community High School
- Brea Lyle, pre-BSN, Jay High School
- Vanessa Neville, biochemistry, Pine Ridge High School
- Nadia Poole, pre-BSN, Bay High School
- Brenton Scofield, pre-BSN, J.R. Arnold High School
For more on the 2026 top scholars, visit uwf.edu/topscholars. Undergraduate scholarship information is at uwf.edu/admissionsawards.
