Ashland High School Principal Kelley St. Coeur announced on Sept. 29 the students who have been named Commended Students in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program. Due to Covid-19, St. Coeur notified the student via email rather than calling them down to the front lobby to present them certificates. “I wanted to let you know of this honor in writing and will present your certificate when I see you during your in person school days. You have so much to be proud of!,” she said in her email.

The following students have been named: Rebecca DeBenedictis, Mary Esenther, Helen Varughese, and Derek Wang. 

A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, was presented by the principal to these scholastically talented students throughout the week of Sept. 29.

A press release said: “About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2021 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of the more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2021 competition by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).”

“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” a spokesperson for NMSC commented. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”