Finalists from all five St. Joseph high schools featured in 2026 Cotillion for Achievement
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Academic achievers from all five St. Joseph high schools and surrounding areas were unveiled as finalists for prestigious local scholarships this weekend.
Eight women and eight men were selected as finalists for this year's $1,000 scholarship awards as part of the Cotillion for Achievement Class of 2026, including students from Lafayette, Benton, Central, Bishop LeBlond and St. Joseph Christian, among others.
The 16 finalists were selected based on their scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities, community service involvement and writing skills. Finalists were announced as part of the annual Cotillion reception on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, at the Joyce Raye Patterson 50+ Senior Activity Center.
The students will now participate in leadership and community service seminars, plus waltz lessons, in January 2026.
The top male and top female finalists will be selected to receive a $2,000 scholarship, which is awarded at the Cotillion for Achievement Scholarship Ball on Feb. 21, 2026.
Female Finalists:
- Eliana Arambula -- Benton
- Hannah Bailey -- Mid Buchanan
- Doaa Hamdouni -- Central
- Tawnie Hamm -- Lafayette
- Gracie Ide -- Bishop LeBlond
- Presli Punzo -- De Kalb
- Abigail Roe -- Benton
- Mallorie Wilcox -- Saint Joseph Christian
Male Finalists:
- Carlton Crumb II -- Savannah
- Asav Gupta -- Central
- Cole Kelley -- Benton
- Alexander Lawyer -- Central
- Adrian Parmenter -- Lafayette
- Tommy Phan -- Central
- Jack Roth -- Savannah
- Cole Schweizer -- Savannah
