News

CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts (Nov. 22, 2024) – Fifteen Chelmsford High School students were invited to attend a special National Merit Recognition breakfast on Thursday morning, Nov. 14, to celebrate their academic achievements.

One of those students, senior Kevin Fortier, has been named a semi-finalist in the National Merit Scholarship program, meaning he represents the top 0.5 percent of the state’s senior students and remains in the running to earn a National Merit Scholarship.

“Kevin’s one of 16,000 students recognized out of the 1.3 million students participating,” said Chelmsford High School Principal Stephen Murray. “Semi-finalists have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some of the 6,870 National Merit Scholarships that total.”

The other 14 students recognized earned commended status in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

“When you’re commended, it means you demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” Murray said. “Although these students are not in the running to become finalists for the National Merit Scholarship, they’re still in the running to get local corporate and national scholarships. … So, it’s quite an achievement.”

Senior Kevin Fortier has been named a semi-finalist in the National Merit Scholarship program.

Those Commended Students are:

• Pranav Abburi
• Charles Brennan
• Akhil Dantam
• Jason Dou
• James Dowd
• Joseph Evans
• Nathan Hart
• Yianni Kalogerakos
• Matthew Kelliher
• Alden Thomas Mondoth Deepak
• Matthew Monnes
• Nathan Nguyen
• Arvind Rao
• Philip Rosen

Murray applauded each of the students for their hard work and dedication in academics throughout their time at Chelmsford Public Schools.

“You’re great representatives and ambassadors of Chelmsford High School,” he said. “We’re so proud of your accomplishments. … Your scores showed the work you put in over all these years, and you should be really proud of yourselves.”

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition among high school students for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships that began in 1955.

The program is conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance.

United States high school students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which serves as an initial screen of over 1.3 million entrants each year, and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements.

To learn more about the National Merit Scholarship Program, visit https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=1879.

About Chelmsford Public Schools

The Chelmsford Public School District provides all students with multiple pathways to optimize their own potential for academic excellence, leadership, and social and emotional wellness. The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners to PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential. This PRIDE-driven culture enables all members of the school community to support the growth and development of students. For more information, please visit www.chelmsfordschools.org.