Cold Spring Harbor Student Named National Merit Finalist

COLD SPRING HARBOR, NY — Annabelle Coles, a senior at Cold Spring Harbor High School, was named a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program, the school district announced.

"Congratulations to Annabelle on this outstanding academic achievement that places her among an elite group of high achieving students in the nation," Superintendent Jill M. Gierasch said in a news release.

The honor is awarded to students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Principal Daniel Danbusky presented Coles with a Certificate of Merit for this achievement, along with her guidance counselor, Heather Friedland. This distinction places Coles in a group representing about half of the top 1 percent of American high school seniors. She is one of only 15,000 seniors out of 1.6 million eligible students to receive this award.

The rankings are based on students’ scores on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test given in the fall of their junior year. After qualifying as a semifinalist in fall 2022, finalists must continue to demonstrate a commitment to high academic standards and other requirements to advance.

Coles plans to attend Dartmouth College this fall.

"The Cold Spring Harbor Central School District Board of Education, administration and staff are extremely proud of this truly remarkable achievement and congratulate Annabelle on earning this recognition," the district wrote.