18 CPS Students Named National Merit Scholarship Finalists

Eighteen students at three schools across Cincinnati Public Schools were named National Merit Scholarship Finalists. The students at Walnut Hills High School, Spencer Center and Clark Montessori were selected through an application process after qualifying as semifinalists. 

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. Approximately 1.5 million high school students enter the program each year by taking the PSAT or the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) as a junior. 

Winners are selected from the finalist group based on their abilities, skills and accomplishments which are evaluated by the Finalist’s academic record, information about the school’s curriculum and grading system, PSAT/NMSQT score, a written letter of recommendation, information about student activities and leadership and the Finalist’s essay. 

CPS wishes each of its finalists good luck in the coming weeks as notifications of National Merit Scholarship recipients are notified.

CPS’ National Merit Finalists include:

• Roger Boerger - Walnut Hills High School
• Taleh Fananapazir - Walnut Hills High School
• Karna Gajjar - Walnut Hills High School
• Leslie Gimbert - Walnut Hills High School
• Luke Greiner - Walnut Hills High School
• Eloise Griffin - Walnut Hills High School
• Elisabeth Hou - Walnut Hills High School
• Ian Leventhal - Walnut Hills High School
• Andrew Liao - Walnut Hills High School
• Jacob Menz - Walnut Hills High School
• Tejas Mundhe - Walnut Hills High School
• Jeev Sampath - Walnut Hills High School
• Avery Schindel-Hassan - Walnut Hills High School
• Addison Wagner - Walnut Hills High School
• Jonathan Walker - Walnut Hills High School
• Sarah Wilson - Walnut Hills High School
• Bix Griffith - Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students
• Adalina Nagel - Clark Montessori High School

For more information about the National Merit Scholarship, please visit: https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/start.aspx?gid=2&pgid=61