Meet the National Merit Finalists from Chandler Prep

Calvin (Elliot) Brackman and Kiersten Malimban, two exceptional seniors at Chandler Prep, have been named National Merit Finalists. These high-achieving seniors earned a high score on the PSAT and met other program requirements, placing them among approximately 15,000 of the most academically promising students in the nation.

According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation website, “Only Finalists will be considered for the National Merit Scholarships. Approximately half of the Finalists will be Merit Scholarship winners (Merit Scholar awardees). Winners are chosen on the basis of their abilities, skills, and accomplishments… Scholarship recipients are the candidates judged to have the greatest potential for success in rigorous college studies and beyond.”

Brackman is very inquisitive and detail-oriented with a quirky sense of humor. He has grown immensely in his time at Chandler Prep, and his contributions to the academy’s community are strong. “Our school would not be the same without Elliot,” shared Lead College Counselor Susan Ruby. “He is active in our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu enrichment course, on our robotics team, in our men’s choir, and has been on the Chandler Prep Leadership Council since sophomore year.” Brackman plans to study cyber security at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ariz.

“Kiersten has a true care for her school community and has a passion to help others around her succeed,” said Ruby. “Whether it is in the classroom with her classmates, in her role as a mentor to the younger students at our school, or even her role in our yearbook committee as one of the editors, Kiersten does everything she can to help positively impact our school community and culture, but she does not stop there.” As a Sophomore, she started a volunteer effort called “Reframe” which she still runs today as a Senior. This volunteer effort reaches out to the people in developing countries, by providing them with old prescription glasses that people are no longer using. Malimban’s care for her community and will to make it a better place is not limited to just our school, county, or state. She wants the goodwill of others to have an impact on a global level, and she is more than willing to be a catalyst for that.

Malimban is still waiting to hear back from some schools on her list before making a decision on where she will continue her academic journey in the fall, but when she does make that decision, she is interested in studying psychology.

Congratulations to both of these amazing seniors from the class of 2026 at Chandler Prep. We look forward to hearing more of the incredible things you will continue to accomplish in the future.

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