Josh Arnold, principal of Los Alamitos High School recently announced that the following students have been named Commended Students in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program:
Derek Ahmed, Justin N. Geffrey, Steven J. Harrington, William S. Hong, Conrad R. Jin, Sung E. Kim, Chloe L. Lajeunesse, Timothy S. Mauss, Brian McGlynn, Kristi Okino, Briton Park, John S. Passanisi, Sara J. Quon, Mason A. Rygh, Christine M. Smudde, Gwendolyn E. Towers, Kellie M. Won, Kimberly P. Beaudreau and Monica V. Brady.
A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to these scholastically talented seniors.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2013 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2013 competition by taking the 2011 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).
“Recognizing academically talented students play a fundamental role in the advancement of educational excellence within our nation,” said an NMSC spokesperson.
“The young people recognized as Commended Students represent some of the best and brightest minds in the country. We sincerely hope this recognition will provide them with additional educational outlets and motivate them in their pursuit of academic achievement,” the spokesmn said.
