Students’ ‘Commendable’ PSAT Scores Cited

By Larissa Lytwyn

 On an otherwise quiet October morning, seven Newtown High School seniors were discreetly led into the guidance office.

“We figured being brought in had something to do with our [PSAT] scores,” said Tanya Whippie. But, she said, no one knew exactly what that “something” would be.

Then Principal Bill Manfredonia swept in, full of congratulations and honorary certificates.

Tanya, along with Carolyn Brennan, Eric Fisher, Alana Jacoby, Daniel Letson, Sharon Small, and Caitlin Weber, scored in the top five percent of the more than one million students who took the PSAT tests last year.

Students who take the PSAT automatically enter the 2004 National Merit Scholarship Corporation competition.

The seven are among about 34,000 Commended Students being recognized this year for their exceptional academic skills.

Although Commended Students’ senior status prevents them from further advancing in the National Merit competition, they are still eligible for money distributed through the corporation’s business and college-sponsored awards.

Upon receiving notification of the top scorers, Director of Guidance Elaine Schwartz organized the surprise get-together for the seven. “I love all these students,” she said, smiling.

“You are all exceptional students,” said Mr Manfredonia as he congratulated each recipient.