Monica Nair
Reporter
On Oct. 25, seniors were honored for their academic accomplishments made on the 2010 PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) with a ceremony that took place in the Multi-Purpose room.
According to the National Merit Scholarship Cooperation, about 55,000 participants receive recognition in the NMSQT Program and the National Achievement Program. To enter the competition, a junior must take the PSAT/NMSQT and meet the necessary requirements.
32 seniors were recognized for their success on the PSATs, with nine of whom are National Merit Semifinalists. Those seniors are Jackson Busch, Amelia Crigler, Dylan Kavookijian, Michael Keshin, David Luchs, John Santoro, Michael Sosnick, Julia Tuttle and Gregory Zales.
College and Career Center Coordinator Susan Carrol has arranged this annual event for ten years, and said that the reception is an important way to honor students. “We hold this ceremony every year because I think brain ball should be honored the same way athletics or artistic accomplishments are honored,” she said. “There’s lots of recognition in these areas for students who excel.”
The other 23 seniors acknowledged as Commended Students for the National Merits are Connor Allsteadt, Gabrielle Ames, Ryan Begoon, Edward Berman, Sarah Bochicchio, Nicholas Depuy, Charles Dorf, Tyler Giggi, Elizabeth Kilbride, Lachlan Lancaster, Tess Litchman, Luke McDermott, Jared Meichner, Robin Neuhaus, Margaret O’Rourke, Caroline Picard, Madeleine Prior, Timothy Pritchard, Erin Queally, William Reynolds, Molly Robustelli, Madeline Russell and Danielle Sorcher.
“[The number of semifinalists and commenders] is a real testament to the strength of our program and a real indicator to the success we are doing in our classrooms and throughout the school,” Principal Bryan Luizzi said.
Jackson said he benefited from a prep course he took. “The course really made me feel comfortable with the format of the test and gave me strategies to save time and effectively approach difficult questions.” he said.
Caroline Picard, a National Merit Commendable, agreed with Jackson. “I didn’t do much to prepare specifically for the PSATs, but I did my SAT Prep class that fall,” she said.
“I am thankful to my parents, as well as the teachers I have had over the years that have helped me develop not only as a thinker but a person” Jackson said.
