LTHS, RBHS students named National Merit scholars

Several local students from both Riverside-Brookfield High School and Lyons Township High School have been semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. More than 1.4 million students nationwide entered the program as juniors by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. High scorers were designated as semifinalists, representing less than 1 percent of the state’s graduating class. In total, just over 16,000 academically talented high school seniors qualified nationwide.

At Lyons Township High School, 22 seniors were named semifinalists-its highest number since the 1974. Among those 22 was Brookfield resident Sarah Boots, who also achieved a perfect score of 36 on her ACT college exam last year.

Three Riverside residents attending Riverside-Brookfield High School, Libby Bova, Nadia E. Danford and Matthew B. Nie, were also named semifinalists. Danford also scored a perfect 36 on the ACT exam.

All of the semifinalists have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship, semifinalists must advance to the finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will be selected as Merit Scholarship winners.

Commended students

In addition to those named as National Merit semifinalists, several local students from both high schools were also named National merit commended students, meaning they placed in the top 5 percent of more than 1.4 million students who entered the competition by taking the 2006 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Among those who attain commended status were Bethany Locicero of Brookfield, who attends Lyons Township High School; Margaret L. McCoy and Lindsey L. Stirek of Riverside, who attend Riverside-Brookfield High School; Colleen B. Morrissey of Brookfield, who attends RBHS; and Ruth J. Osbrink of North Riverside, who attends RBHS.