21 Chatham High School Seniors Earn National Merit Recognition

CHATHAM, NJ — Twenty-one Chatham High School seniors have earned national recognition for their academic achievements.

Principal Dr. Doug Walker recognized the students Thursday as Commended Students in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program, according to the School District of the Chathams. Each received a Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

The commended students are Dhara Ashar, Ethan Caffrey, Emily Deutsch, Samuel Favate, Aoibheann Hillman, Ranvir Iyengar, Joana Jayanth, Audrey Lee, John Loatman, Cara Lynch, Sarada Matia, Thomas Meyler, Lucas Nadgauda, Shakthi Prasanth, Olivia Rein, Conlan Richichi, Anya Rodrigo Candappa, Grace Ryan, Eli Sigalov, Alexander Wang and Nicole Zhu.

About 34,000 Commended Students nationwide are receiving the distinction after placing among the 50,000 high scorers in the 2027 competition. Commended Students will not advance in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship competition, but they ranked among the top 50,000 entrants based on their scores on the 2025 PSAT/NMSQT.

“We are very proud of these students and the recognition they have earned,” Walker said. “It is wonderful to see their hard work, dedication, and genuine love of learning recognized in this way.”

A National Merit Scholarship Corporation spokesperson said the Commended Students have shown outstanding potential for academic success.

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