Spring-Ford Lauds National Merit Scholar Semifinalists and Commended Students

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Scholars and National Merit Scholarship semifinalists were recognized at the Oct. 16, Spring-Ford School Board meeting Monday night.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Spring-Ford School District.

The Spring-Ford Area School District is proud to announce that five Spring-Ford Area High School students have been recognized as National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalists. Congratulations to Anya Aggarwal, Sarah E. Chiaradonna, Megan A. Englert, Kristine Luo and Caitlin McGee.

From left, Megan A. Englert, Caitlin McGee, Kristine Luo,

Sarah E. Chiaradonna and Anya Aggarwal. 

“This is the largest group of commended and semifinalist that we’ve had, ever,” said Spring-Ford Area High School Principal Dr. Patrick Nugent.

“I am very proud of all of our National Merit students, particularly the five ladies recognized as Semi-Finalists, as they represent less than one percent of high school seniors,” Nugent said.

In addition, nine students were named as “Commended Students” in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program, and one student was named as a “Scholar” in the 2018-2019 National Hispanic Recognition Program.

Congratulations to Commended Students Hiba F. Hamid, Axel Kalbach, Olivia Kuklentz, Christopher S. Lambert, Ahila S. Moorthy, Alicia J. Platchek, Megha Rajan, Ingrid E.Shu, and Jennifer D. Zajac. Congratulations to Scholar Sophia Feingold.

All students were recognized by the Spring-Ford Board of School Directors at the Oct. 16 meeting.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test  — which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.6 million entrants each year — and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements.

In early September, about 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, are notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists.

To ensure that academically talented young people from all parts of the United States are included in this talent pool, semifinalists are designated on a state-representational basis. They are the highest scoring entrants in each state.

To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, semifinalists must advance to finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and all other requirements explained in the information provided to each semifinalist.