Ohio Connections Academy Student Named National Merit Finalist

Ohio Connections Academy senior Fiona Tsang was recently named a National Merit Finalist. Fiona, who lives in Cleveland, is among the approximately 16,000 high school seniors from across the country who will compete for some 7,250 National Merit Scholarship Awards worth nearly $20 million to be awarded in the spring.

Each year more than 1.5 million high school students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program which is a competition recognizing high school students who take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) and meet published program entry and participation requirements.

National Merit Finalists are selected based on their exceptional abilities, skills and accomplishments, and are highly recruited by selective colleges across the nation with some offering significant scholarships based on the National Merit status.

Fiona enrolled in Ohio Connections Academy in the fall of 2021 after she moved to Cleveland to attend the Cleveland Institute of Music Young Artist Program where she plays the cello. She said attending the online public charter school has given her the flexibility to manage her high school academic responsibilities around the music program schedule.

“Attending Ohio Connections has made it possible to start pursuing a more professional study as a classical musician while continuing my other academic interests,” she said.

In being named a National Merit Finalist, Fiona said she was excited to learn the good news as it validates all the hard work she has put into her academics and music.

“I was very excited to learn about being named a finalist and it really encourages me to continue my hard work as I move on to the next academic level,” Fiona said.

After her high school graduation in the spring, Fiona plans to continue to study music at a four-year college or university next year. She will be auditioning for music programs at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Indiana University and Julliard among others.

In addition to her music and academic work, Fiona also actively volunteers her time to support the Bridge Road International Youth Group where she has taught several classes including geometry, music theory and creative writing for middle school students and helped with training sessions for new teachers. She also helped create several videos to showcase what students and teachers accomplished through the courses. Currently Fiona is serving as the co-president of the organization and is tutoring an elementary student who also plays cello. For her contributions to the community through her time, actions, talents, and dedication Fiona was awarded the Ohio Connections Academy’s Community Service Recognition Award in 2022.

“The faculty, staff and members of the board at Ohio Connections Academy would like to congratulate Fiona for this outstanding recognition,” said Marie Hanna, OCA Superintendent. “With her academic excellence, her talents as a classical musician and outstanding service in her community, Fiona is an extraordinary student leader, and we wish her continued success as she moves on to college.”

Ohio Connections Academy is an established online school that provides students with the continuous support of highly-skilled teachers and curriculum that focuses on both academics and social-emotional learning, while helping them gain the skills and confidence they need to thrive in a changing world. The school’s teachers are specially trained to bring their skills and personality to the virtual classroom and emphasize the importance of fostering meaningful connections with students and their families. Learning plans are flexible and can be uniquely tailored based on a student’s specific needs.

Enrollment for Ohio Connections Academy for the 2023-2024 school year is currently open and the school is hosting online information sessions for families interested in learning more about virtual education. A complete schedule of events is available. More information about Ohio Connections Academy is available at www.OhioConnectionsAcademy.com or by calling 1-(800) 382-6010.