Vella '19, Wang '19 Named National Merit Scholars

Olivia Vella '19 and Maggie Wang '19 have been named National Merit Scholars, recognition from a select committee of the students' accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in college.

 

Vella and Wang are among 2,500 students nationally to receive $2,500 scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corp.

 

Vella was inducted last month into the school's Cum Laude Society chapter, a signal of her high academic standing in the Class of 2019. She also serves as co-editor-in-chief of the Exchanged, an online publication that is run and managed by students of NCS and St. Albans School and unaffiliated with either school.

 

This year, Vella was an associate editor for Half in Earnest, the NCS literary magazine, she sang in the Upper School Chorale, performed in the Upper School musical, Titanic, and ran cross country and track.

 

Wang was also inducted in the Cum Laude Society, and earlier this month, she was named a U.S. Presidential Scholar. Wang was co-editor-in-chief of HIE, and she, too, sang in the Upper School Chorale.

 

A committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors determined the list of National Merit Scholars, based on information submitted by National Merit Finalists and their schools. The data included a student's academic record, scores from two standardized tests, contributions and leadership in school and community activities, an essay, and a recommendation written by a school official.

 

Since the school year of 1980-1981, 52 NCS students have been recognized as National Merit Scholars.

Two other members of the Class of 2019, Katie Klingler '19 and Nicole Owens '19, were named Finalists this spring and remain in contention for National Merit Scholarships that will be awarded this summer. The National Merit Scholarship Corp. anticipates awarding approximately 7,500 scholarships this year.

 

Congratulations to Olivia and Maggie!