Students Named Semifinalists 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program

Westminster Sixth Formers, Anne Cervas and Suchi Mandavilli, have been named Semifinalists in the 55th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented students have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,200 National Merit Scholarships that will be offered next spring.

Semifinalists represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and include the highest scoring entrants in each state. They must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.

More than 1.5 million juniors in about 22,000 high schools entered the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants.

“The Westminster community is extremely proud of Anne’s and Suchi’s selection as Semifinalists for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship awards,” said Headmaster Graham Cole. “We celebrate the distinction they bring to themselves and to our school, and wish them well as they continue in the competition for a Merit Scholarship award.”

During Anne’s Westminster career, she has earned summus every term and was named an AP Scholar with Honor. She is president of the student organization Serving Our Neighbors, the literary editor of The Martlet and a Day Prefect. She also is co-captain of the varsity cross-country team and has played on Westminster soccer, lacrosse, track and squash teams.

Suchi has achieved summus every term and was named an AP Scholar with Distinction. She is the editor in chief of Westminster News, a member of the Chamber Choir and a participant in Cabaret. She also participates in cross country and has played on Westminster field hockey, tennis and squash teams. Outside of school, she serves as a volunteer at Hartford Hospital.