Education

NHS Recognizes 2027 National Merit Commended Students

By Jenna Visca

Published: Sep 25, 2026 7:30 am

Newtown High School (NHS) recognized the twelve Commended Students in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program on Wednesday, September 23.

Henry Baraw, Jolene Brackett, Finn Clancy, Evangeline Ekman, Duncan Kolb, Elias Kolb, Khadijah Noori, Spencer Maddox, Sierra Marx, Mason Moody, Ana Morris, and Aarav Shetty gathered in the school's counseling office early Wednesday morning, where they were surprised by NHS Principal Kimberly Longobucco, guidance counselors, and other staff members.

It was there that Longobucco announced they were all Commented Students.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition among high school students for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships that started in 1955.

Students entered into this year's competition by taking the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test last October.

Around 34,000 high performers have been named Commented Students based on a nation Selection Index score of 208, applicable to all program participants without regard to state-by-state distribution.

While these students will not compete in this year's competition for the National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 highest performers.

She presented each student with a Letter of Commendation, which featured an enclosed congratulatory message.

=====

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.

Twelve Newtown High School students were announced as Commented Students in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program on Wednesday, September 23. In the front row are, from left, Khadijah Noori, Ana Morris, Evangeline Ekman, Sierra Marx, Jolene Brackett, and Aarav Shetty. In the back row, from left, are Henry Baraw, Spencer Maddox, Finn Clancy, Mason Moody, and Duncan and Elias Kolb. —Bee Photo, Visca

Top Of The Mountain

P&Z Rezones 28A Glen Road To Sandy Hook Design District

Theater Review: Think Deeply With Sherman's 'Inherit The Wind'

Theater Review: Brookfield Theatre's 'Dracula' Is So Good You'll Want To See It Twice

Another police search in a Newtown neighborhood. Did I miss the notification from the First Selectman’s office, or are we still using the “read about it afterward” emergency communication system? I raised this same concern after the April police search. How many times do residents have to ask for timely information? At this point, perhaps it’s the First Selectman’s office that needs a welfare check. Anybody home, Bruce? Thank you to Newtown Police for doing their job. Wake up, Bruce. Keeping residents informed is part of yours.

Driver Arrested After Fleeing Crash Scene

This strikes me as a pretty one-sided assessment. Let me add some context. You highlight that his opponent has lived in Newtown for only two and a half years, yet leave out that Rob Blanchard moved here in July—roughly two and a half months ago. If residency matters, apply the same standard to both candidates. Isn't there a name for someone who moves to a town to run for election? Something like a rug or carpet, something? I also question the mortgage-struggle framing in advertisements he approved and appears in. The public payroll figures put his household gross earnings at roughly $300,000—nearly twice Newtown’s median household income of $155,110. That doesn’t mean they have no financial pressures, but it is fair to question how closely that portrayal reflects the circumstances of a typical Newtown household. Both candidates deserve scrutiny. Highlighting one candidate’s short residency while overlooking the other’s much more recent arrival is a double standard.

Vote For Rob Blanchard For State Senate

An incredible event... again. Thanks so much to Leslie and the entire gang who make this gathering of friends, family and classmates happen every year! And thanks to Devery Stickles for his generous support. This event is truly the Heart & Spirit of Newtown!

Dozens Enjoy Annual Panacea Labor Day Weekend Concert

Michelle Embree Ku raises valid concerns about local property taxes, but ignores a basic political reality: Representative Mitch Bolinsky serves in the minority in a legislature dominated by a single-party supermajority where minority-party proposals are routinely sidelined. Suggesting that a single minority representative could rewrite the state's ECS formula is politically unrealistic and disingenuous to Newtown voters. Despite those odds, Mitch’s CGA track record speaks for itself. He led the charge to protect special education funding, preserve Drug-Free School Zones, safeguard school safety drills, advance science-based structured literacy, and defend homeschooling choices for families. If Ms. Ku knows how to fix the ECS formula, what has she done to convince her own party—the same party that controls the House, Senate, and Governor’s office? If the supermajority has the votes to fix ECS today, why hasn’t it happened during the 13 years she cites? Adding another seat to a supermajority that made Connecticut one of the highest-taxed states won't help Newtown taxpayers. If the current majority hasn't delivered relief with absolute power, expanding that majority won't change the outcome. Newtown’s interests are best served by keeping Mitch in the House and increasing Republican margins to provide real checks and balances. When one party holds every lever of power, accountability disappears. Strengthening the minority ensures our town’s voice is heard, not drowned out.

ECS Funding Debate Should Focus On Results

The idea that a freshman Democrat would be able to stand up to the special interests and prioritization of urban districts that are the base of that caucus to deliver results for Newtown is laughable - especially someone who could not even build the "relationships, coalitions, and the support necessary" to garner the endorsements of her fellow Democrat Council members ahead of Newtown's local caucus this spring. More likely Newtown would see something akin to Leeper in Fairfield, performative actions after vote counting, while privately advancing their party's interests over their community's.

Log In

NHS Recognizes 2027 National Merit Commended Students

Leave a Reply Cancel reply