15 District 214 Students Named 2016 National Merit Semifinalists

Submitted by High School District 214

Fifteen High School District 214 students were named Semifinalists in the 61st annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Semifinalists include Buffalo Grove High School students Kaitlyn Ko and Emily Valentin; John Hersey High School students Colleen O’Donnell, Sergey Smirnovand Andrew Song; Prospect High School students Jonathan Ampalloor, Veronica Boratyn, Edward Brown, Alexander DiChristofano, William Doherty,John Harmon, Peter Hong, Arshpreet Nanda and Marisa Romanelli; and Rolling Meadows student Katherine Rohde.

These 15 students are among about 16,000 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists nationwide. Emily Valentin was also named a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar.

The program also announced 34 District 214 students received commended scholar status. Commended scholars include students from Buffalo Grove, John Hersey, Prospect, Rolling Meadows and Wheeling high schools.

The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,400 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring.

To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and his or her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.

National Merit Scholarship winners of 2016 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July.

Photo: : Buffalo Grove High School students who were named Semifinalists and commended scholars in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program with their counselor Brian Linhart (far left) and Principal Jeff Wardle (far right).