La Cañada High School and the La Cañada Unified School District recently honored 13 students who were chosen as semifinalists for the 2024 National Merit Scholarships Program.
The students named as semifinalists are Chelsea Brack, Blake Chang, Rachel Choi, Neal Frankenberg, Cameron Hong, Dylan Jeffries, Joonha Lee, Matthew Park, Marius Rutkowski, Andrew Smersfel, Thomas Sorensen, Emmi Sugino and Sonal Sukhatme.
These LCHS seniors are among more than 16,000 semifinalists in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program and have the opportunity to receive 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million.
The district, LCHS staff and administration celebrated the students last week for their accomplishments.
“This recognition was not only an individual achievement but a testament of their natural curiosity, love for learning, and drive for excellence,” Associate Superintendent of Educational Services Anais Wenn told the Outlook Valley Sun. “As National Merit Semifinalists, these stellar students represented their school, their families and the La Cañada community at large.”
Congratulating the semifinalists as a group is an annual tradition, said Principal James Cartnal.
“On behalf of the LCUSD Governing Board, the superintendent and cabinet, we congratulate each and every one of them and their families on this distinguished recognition,” said Wenn. “We are confident that with all their talents and gifts, these students will continue to thrive in college and/or career and make significant contributions to their community.”
According to the officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, about 95% of the semifinalists are expected to attain a finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship.
In February 2024, students will be notified whether they have advanced to the finalist level.
First published in the September 21 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
