Woodlands Academy Students Receive National Merit Commendations

Three Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart students are among the top 3 percent of high school seniors nationwide being recognized for exceptional academic promise demonstrated by their outstanding performance on a qualifying test.

Elise Albertson, of Winnetka; Grace Allen, of Lake Forest; and Genevieve Makowski, of Arlington Heights, each received a Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, and the Lake Forest school on Monday, Sept. 24.

“Woodlands Academy is proud to share in commending these three members of our senior class who clearly have demonstrated such outstanding potential for academic success,” said Principal Christine Schmidt. We hope that this recognition will inspire them to continue to pursue academic excellence.”

Of the more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2019 competition by taking the 2017 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test [PSAT/NMSQT] last fall, approximately 34,000 achieved commendation status. While included among the 50,000 top scorers, commended students do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarship awards. Some of them are likely to become candidates for special scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.

“These students represent a valuable national resource,” according to NMSC in a release. “Recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their school plays in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation.”

Woodlands Academy is an independent, Catholic day-and-boarding, college-preparatory school for young women of all faiths grades nine through 12 that promotes engaging academics, artistic and athletic excellence, strong faith, and social responsibility. 2018 marks the 160th anniversary of its founding in Chicago as well as the bicentennial of Sacred Heart education in North America. Woodlands is part of a worldwide network of more than 150 Sacred Heart schools.

###

Photo caption:

Woodlands Academy seniors (from left) Elise Albertson, of Winnetka; Grace Allen, of Lake Forest; and Genevieve Makowski, of Arlington Heights, are 2019 National Merit Scholarship Letter of Commendation recipients.