The 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program has named 10 Staples High School seniors as finalists, each one with a chance to earn one of 7,400 scholarship awards totaling more than $35 million nationwide, school officials announced today.
National Merit finalists include: (back row, l-r) Nicholas Ribolla, Quinn B. Hughes, George R. Menz, and Grant G. Tobben; (front row) Aaron J. Samuels, Peter C. Sauer, Hannah H. Debalsi, Jodie I. Baris, and Stephen K. Xu; Missing from picture: Arjun S. Dhindsa. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Staples finalists are: Jodie Baris, Hannah Debalsi, Arjun Dhindsa, Quinn Hughes, George Menz, Nicolas Ribolla, Aaron Samuels, Peter Sauer, Grant Tobben and Steven Xu.
According to school offcials, winners will be chosen as early as March from a group of more than 15,000 finalists. They said winners will be chosen on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college.
Each Staples finalist had to meet the following criteria: an outstanding academic record, a principal’s recommendation, and SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier qualifying test performance.
“These students have demonstrated scholarship and tenacity throughout their years in our schools and receipt of this high honor is indicative of their academic skill and resilience,” said Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon.
“Their individual success is reflective of the support they have received from their families, their school teachers and administrators, and the many members of the Westport community who have positively impacted their lives. I congratulate them, one and all.”
