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Joshua J Scott Merit Scholarship Winners

In addition to the Leadership Scholarship winner, the Emily Couric Leadership Forum’s Selection Committee has discretion to recognize one of the nominees with a merit scholarship. A $38,000 scholarship will be awarded this year. The Selection Committee, comprised of community leaders, makes the awards after an application process and personal interviews with the nominees.

The Board recently named our Merit Award in memory of the late Joshua J. Scott, a beloved member of our community who worked with Senator Couric and served for many years on the interview and selection panel for our scholarships, where he was a tireless advocate for offering a merit award.

Here are the merit award winners.

2026 Joshua J. Scott Merit Award Winner

Elizabeth Cook

Sonia Kamath, St. Anne’s-Belfield School
Daughter of Vanessa Gregg & Wesley Adams and Susannah & Prakash Kamath

Elizabeth’s high school career has been a series of high-impact adventures. From hosting guest speakers to working as a lifeguard and private swim instructor, she demonstrates her intellect and deep-seated compassion. As president of both the National Honor and the National History Honor Societies, she helped organize food drives, mentored middle schoolers, and recruited 50 new members. She was also captain of the swim team and a standout defender in field hockey and twice won the Monticello High School’s Sportsmanship Award. Elizabeth is also a talented clarinetist and serves as an usher and lector at her church. Whether she is guiding a hesitant six-year-old through his first backstroke lap or connecting complex historical movements in her AP coursework, Elizabeth is a leader in the quiet and important work of lifting others up.

Meet the rest of the 2026 finalists here.