Nine District 99 Students Named 2016 National Merit Semifinalists

Submitted by Community High School District 99. Photo 1 (top): Principal Scott Kasik, Sophie Baillargeon, Ari Scott, Alison Elgass and Hannah Thompson. Photo 2 (bottom): Joseph Gleeson, Allison Cheevers, Principal Ed Schwartz, Taylour Erickson, Ronnie Thottaplackal and Eric Haddleton

Nine students at District 99 have been designated as semifinalists in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Students are selected based on test scores, an essay, their schools’ curricula and school official recommendations, as well as involvement in activities and leadership.

Of the 1.5 million entrants from more than 22,000 high schools, approximately 16,000 semifinalists were named in the United States. Merit scholarship winners will be selected next spring.

The District 99 students selected include:

• Sophie Baillargeon (North High student from Downers Grove)
• Allison Cheevers (South High student from Woodridge)
• Joseph Gleeson (South High student from Downers Grove)
• Eric Haddleton (South High student from Downers Grove)
• Alison Elgass (North High student from Downers Grove)
• Taylour Erickson (South High student from Downers Grove)
• Ari Scott (North High student from Downers Grove)
• Hannah Thompson (North High student from Downers Grove)
• Ronnie Thottaplackal (South High student from Downers Grove)

“The National Merit Scholarship Program is a prestigious competition, and we congratulate these students for achieving this high level of academic recognition,” says Superintendent Dr. Mark McDonald. “These students are a source of pride for all of us in the community.”

For more information about the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, please visit nationalmerit.org.