­NHS Students Named Merit Scholarship Finalists

Both Newtown High School Principal Charles Dumais and Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson were at the high school on Thursday, February 17, to congratulate Ayesha Dholakia, Mathew Jensen, Amy Kung, Brian Reed, Drew Robinson, and Miryam Wilson for being named finalists in this year’s National Merit Scholarships program.

“That hardly ever happens. It’s pretty amazing,” Dr Robinson said, reflecting on the fact that every student named as a semifinalist from NHS in the National Merit Scholarship program made it on to become finalists this year.

Head of the Guidance Department at NHS, Cathy Ostar also reflected on the same accomplishment as she clapped for the students on Thursday. Mr Dumais also expressed the same thing before handing each student a certificate.

The NHS seniors were among roughly the top 16,000 students in the nation to earn the semifinalist recognition in September. As finalists in the scholarship program the six NHS students are now among the top 2,500 students in the country.

National Merit Scholars are eligible for consideration for awards.

“Congratulations,” Dr Robinson said before adding, with a laugh, “I wish you all some money.”