Oak Forest HS Student Named 2015 National Merit Commended Student

Oak Forest High School Principal Dr. Brad Sikora announced today that Jessica Sandoval has been named a Commended Student in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program and a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar from the College Board.

Sandoval wants to major in marketing, management, and Spanish while in college and would also like to get a master’s degree in entrepreneurship. She is deciding between going to the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign or to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

“Oak Forest High School opened my eyes to many new ideas and opportunities. People have helped me here so much such as Mrs. Sasek, Mrs. Bertrand, Mrs. Schanz, Mr. Moroz, Mr. Manzke and my coaches.”

Sandoval feels that a strong work ethic is the most important thing to be successful in high school. “Many people think I come by this naturally, but I work very hard,” Sandoval said. “And coffee helps,” she laughed.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2015 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2015 competition by taking the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).