Oak Lawn Students Earn National Merit Commendations At McAuley

OAK LAWN, IL — Five Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School seniors were named National Merit Commended Students. The young women earned commendations by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for demonstrating “outstanding potential for academic success.” Each is a member of the National Honor Society a Catherine McAuley Honors Scholar, a McAuley program that recognizes superior academic achievement.

Brigid Barkmeier, of Oak Lawn, is a member of the state-qualifying Math Macs throughout her four years, earning first place in the individual geometry test her sophomore year. Brigid is a student ambassador, serves on the student council and is a member of the McAuley swimming and water polo teams. She is a graduate of St. Catherine of Alexandria grade school. As a freshman, she earned the Sr. Agatha O’Brien Memorial Scholarship, which recognizes students who score in the top five percent on the High School Placement Test.

Oak Lawn-resident Sydney Conn is a member of the French Club, Math Macs, Autonomous Car Club, Unity Community, Book Club and Eco Macs. As a musician, she plays viola for the McAuley Symphony Strings and String Ensemble, notably as first chair. During her junior year Sydney traveled to West Virginia as part of the McAuley Appalachian Mission Project. She previously competed on the McAuley swimming, water polo and soccer teams, respectively. Sydney earned the Sr. Agatha O’Brien Memorial Scholarship her freshman year. She is a graduate of St. Linus grade school.

Other McAuley seniors recognized as Commended Students include:

Megan Howley, of Evergreen Park, maintains a 4.0 G.P.A. and earned a gold medal on the National Spanish Exam. She has been a member of the Mighty Mac cross country and track teams for four years. Megan is a graduate of Most Holy Redeemer grade school.

Mount Greenwood-resident Martina Maples has been a cheerleader for Brother Rice for four years, most recently serving as captain of the squad for her junior and senior year. As a rising junior she participated in the DePaul University Actuary Program. She has been recognized as a Mac with Merit for her diligent work ethic and contributions to the McAuley community. Martina received the Sr. Agatha O’Brien Memorial Scholarship her freshman year. She is a graduate of Queen of Martyrs grade school.

Mary Russell, of Beverly-Morgan Park, is a member of the National Art Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica and Respect Life Club. As a Math Mac, she has competed in the Illinois State math competition all three years. She is a graduate of St. Walter grade school, where she is a volunteer coach for the volleyball and dance teams, respectively. Her freshman year Mary earned the Sr. Agatha O’Brien Memorial Scholarship.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2020 competition by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

“This recognition is well-deserved and a great reflection of the students’ commitment to advancing their own goals,” McAuley dean of upperclasswomen Meg Gardner said in a news release. “They are accomplished at balancing their academic work with their participation in sports, clubs and other outside activities, and I’m certain they’ll continue to set and exceed their own expectations as they move into college and beyond. Our entire school community is proud of these Mighty Macs.”

National Merit Scholarship Corporation said in a written statement that those named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success.

"These students represent a valuable, national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success."

About 1.6 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2018 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.