Schools
Whiz Kids: Troy Scholars Merit Notice
Troy students achieve academic success by qualifying as semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Each week, Patch spotlights young people in the Troy community who are successful, talented and just plain awesome. Today we introduce the latest group of Whiz Kids:
National Merit Scholarship Semi-finalists
- Ages: High School Students
- School: Troy High School & Troy Athens High School
- Achievement: Neha Bokil, a junior at Troy High School was one of more than three dozen high school students recognized by the Troy School Board of Education on Tuesday evening for qualifying as semi-finalists for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The represent the top 1% of the state’s seniors at this stage of the academic competition. More than 1.5 million contestants join the contest each year; only approximately 8000 annual winners are chosen to receive awards of $500 or $2000 per year for up to four years toward study. “It’s very rewarding to see such a large number of Troy Schools District students stand out on a national level. This honor speaks to their commitment to their academic careers as well as the support of their parents and their teachers,” Troy Schools Superintendent Barbara Fowler said.
- Keys to Success: Bokil credits preparation as the leading factor for qualifying, who said she spent a lot of time "studying and reviewing and talking with friends" to see how they were preparing. Justin Yuan, a semifinalist from , also said preparation is key. “I’ve been taking practice SAT tests since middle school,” Yuan said. He also attributed his performance to his competitive spirit and success of his peers. “I’m motivated by my friends," he said. "I see them achieve success, and I want to be on that same level.”
Do you know a local young person who deserves applause because he or she does volunteer work this summer? Or perhaps athletic achievements are worth sharing. Everyone deserves attention, and we want to tell these stories. Email nominations to Editor Kevin Elliott at kevin.elliott@patch.com, provide the information shown above and include a photo with names and ages. Then, come back each Wednesday for our Whiz Kid spotlight.
