Two Seniors Recognized in National Merit Competition

Lake Ridge Academy senior Chris Chapadia was named a 2020 National Merit Semifinalist, joining 16,000 students that are named National Merit Semifinalists who represent less than 1 percent of the nation’s top high school seniors. Lake Ridge Academy also had one Commended Scholar, Abby Rosu, who represents the top 5 percent of the nation’s top high school seniors.

The National Merit Scholarship program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarship funds that began in 1955. About 1.6 million juniors entered the program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The top scores in critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills advance only 16,000 students to the Semifinalist list.

Chris will now have the opportunity to compete to be named a Finalist, which is determined by the student’s academic record, written essay, participation in school and community activities, evidence of leadership and any other honors or awards received. Finalists will be announced in February.