Los Gatos-Saratoga High School District Boasts 40 Merit Scholar Semifinalists

The National Merit Scholarship Program has announced its list of semifinalists and 40 seniors from the were recognized.

Each year, approximately 1.5 million students participate in the program by taking the 2011 Preliminary SAT (PSAT) and only the top one percent receives this recognition. The PSAT measures critical reading, math problem‐solving and writing skills.

In spring 2013, the semifinalists continue the competition towards obtaining one of the 8,300 National Merit scholarships, totaling more than $32 million.

To become a finalist, a semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record and SAT scores and be recommended by their high school principal. Ninety percent of semifinalists become finalists and more than 50 percent of finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the title “Merit Scholar.”

The final application includes a student essay and information about their participation and leadership in school and community activities. This rigorous process showcases some of the best students in the nation.

"LGSUHSD is proud of these semifinalists and wishes them much success in this competition and future endeavors," said Jane Marashian, the district's assistant to the superintendent.

The LGSUHSD semifinalists are:

• Niharika M.Bedekar
• Elyse J. Berlinberg
• Shreya Chaganti
• Justin Chiang
• Amanda Y. Chow
• Edward X. Dong
• Andy Fang
• McKenna N. Galvin
• Kevin M. Garbe
• Jacqueline L. Gu
• Catherine Han
• Dylan Jew
• Evaline Ju
• Paul W. Jung
• Danielle R. Katz
• Brian M. Kim
• Brian Y. Kim
• Yukiye A. Koide
• Michael T. Lee
• Ye Seon Lee
• Nole Lin, Maggy Liu
• Aneesa Mazumdar
• Priyanka Nookala
• Suzannah K. Osekowsky
• Nandita Sampath
• Adam P. Silverman
• Deborah Soung
• Bhavana Vadrevu
• Joyce Y. Wang
• Terrance Wang
• Patrick L. Xiao
• Christine Xue
• Rebecca S. Yang
• Matthew F. Yee,
• Stanley C. Yip
• Michael S. Zhang
• Geena Y. Zhou
• Sophia R. Zhu