Manchester Senior Honored As National Merit Commended Scholar

Jonathan Natoli, a senior at Manchester Township High School, has been named a National Merit Commended Scholar by the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Natoli received his letter of commendation from the program and certificate from the township Board of Education Wednesday night at the Board of Education meeting at Ridgeway Elementary School.

National Merit Commended Scholars -- 34,000 nationwide -- achieved that status by scoring in the 5 percent of the 1.5 million students nationwide who took the Preliminary SAT last year as juniors, according to the scholarship program. Natoli, who is president of the high school’s Habitat for Humanity Club, captain of the Math Team, a member of the Interact Club and the National Honor Society, was joined by his parents at the meeting.

Natoli also has played soccer and runs cross country and participated in winter/indoor track and spring track for the Hawks.

Although Commended Students do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, some of these students do become candidates for special scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses, according to the National Merit Scholarship program.

(PHOTO: Jonathan Natoli (second from right) poses with Manchester Township High School principal Dennis Adams (right) and his parents after receiving his National Merit Commended Scholar letter at the Manchester Township Board of Education meeting on Wednesday. Credit: Karen Wall)