4 Bellmore-Merrick Students Named National Merit Finalists

Four students in the Bellmore-Merrick Central School District have been named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship 2019 competition.

Wellington C. Mepham High School’s John Berry and Kyle Ednie as well as John F. Kennedy High School’s James Hayes and Sidra Naheed were all included on the list.

“We are once again proud to highlight the accomplishments of our dedicated students,” said Superintendent John DeTommaso.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Approximately 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, qualified as semifinalists. Finalists who will be receiving scholarships will be notified in March.

In order to become finalists, the students needed to submit a detailed application which included information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.

Photo, clockwise from top left: James Hayes, Sidra Naheed, John Berry and Kyle Ednie. Photos courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.