Release: 10 Dist. 99 Students Named 2015 National Merit Semifinalists

Photo: North High School National Merit Semifinalists:
Front row (l-r): Jessica Ridderhoff, Allison Kirkegaard, John McDermott; Back row (l-r): Mitchell Novonty, Katelyn Edel, Adam Behnke, Anders Osterling, Mr. Scott Kasik

The following is a news release from Community High School District 99.

Ten students at District 99 have been designated as semifinalists in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Students are selected based on test scores, an essay, their schools’ curricula and school official recommendations, as well as involvement in activities and leadership.

Of the 1.4 million entrants, approximately 16,000 semifinalists were named in the U.S. Merit scholarship winners will be selected next spring.

The District 99 students selected include:

• Adam Behnke (North High student from Downers Grove)
• Katelyn Edel (North High student from Downers Grove)
• Abigail Kargol (South High student from Downers Grove)
• Allison Kirkegaard (North High student from Downers Grove)
• John McDermott (North High student from Downers Grove)
• Mitchell Novotny (North High student from Downers Grove)
• Anders Osterling (North High student from Downers Grove)
• Reese Richardson (South High student from Woodridge)
• Jessica Ridderhoff (North High student from Woodridge)
• Kyla Swain (South High student from Downers Grove)

“These students are a source of pride for all of us in the community, and we congratulate them on their achievements and recognition in this prestigious program,” says Superintendent Dr. Mark McDonald.

For more information about the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, please visit www.nationalmerit.org.
For more information about District 99, please visit www.csd99.org.