5 Stamford Students Named National Merit Scholarship Finalists

Information via Stamford Public Schools

STAMFORD, CT — The school district announced this week five Stamford Public Schools students have advanced as finalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program.

In a news release, district officials said Stamford High School seniors Samuel P. Lai, Rachana Somaskandan and Edward D. Yudolevich and Westhill High School seniors Jacob C. Sherman and Gaurov Bansal have advanced as finalists, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

These five students are among the highest scorers in the state and the more than 15,000 students nationwide who have advanced to finalist standing, according to the district.

To be named a finalist, the student had to demonstrate an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, and write an essay.

According to NMSC, some 7,500 National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from among the finalists. NMSC will announce the names of the winners in four separate announcements in April, May, June and July.

Further information can be found on the district website.