4 Cold Spring Harbor Students Advance As National Merit Finalists

COLD SPRING HARBOR, NY — All four Cold Spring Harbor High School seniors who were previously named National Merit Semifinalists have advanced as finalists in the prestigious competition, joining 15,000 of their peers from across the United States, the Cold Spring Harbor School District announced.

Ava Coco, Milan Lustig, Stephen Schmidt and Aidan Smith received the prestigious honor of semifinalist in fall 2024.

To become a finalist, the students submitted a detailed scholarship application including an
outstanding academic record throughout high school, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership skills, employment, and a list of honors and awards received.

The students were also endorsed and recommended by a high school official, wrote essays and earned SAT or ACT scores that confirmed earlier performance on the qualifying test.

Jr./Sr. High School Principal Daniel Danbusky was honored to present these students with a certificate of merit for this achievement.

This distinction places them in a group representing about half of the top 1 percent of American high school seniors.

"The Cold Spring Harbor Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Joseph Monastero, Jr./Sr. High School Principal Daniel Danbusky, administrators, counselors and staff congratulate these exemplary students on this prestigious academic achievement," the district wrote.