Two Smithtown Students Named National Merit Winners

Smithtown High School East senior Sanjana Eranki and Smithtown High School West senior Samantha Catalano have been selected as winners of National Merit $2,500 Scholarships.

The two Smithtown students were chosen for Merit Scholarship awards among 15,000 finalists based on their abilities, skills and accomplishments.

The National Merit Scholarship Competition evaluates participants on their academic record, school’s curricula and grading system, two SAT scores, school official’s written recommendation, the finalist’s extracurricular activities, leadership and personal essay.

In the fall, Catalano will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she will pursue an undergraduate degree in biology. Eranki is still undecided on her college choice at this time.

Congratulations to Sanjana Eranki and Samantha Catalano!

Pictured: Left - Smithtown High School West senior Samantha Catalano with Smithtown High School West Assistant Principal Chris Elsesser and Smithtown High School West guidance counselor Jeanmarie Wilson.

Right - Smithtown High School East senior Sanjana Eranki with Smithtown High School East Principal Dr. Kevin Simmons.

Photos courtesy of Smithtown Central School District