News & Events

Congratulations to Norfolk Academy seniors Aarush Desai, David Martin, Adi Thapa, and Yaoyao Wang, who have been recognized as finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program! 

Less than 1% of high school seniors from across the country earn this honor. Students gained consideration through their performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

In addition to their academic successes, these NA seniors perform in a variety of activities.

Aarush is a Global Health Fellow who last spring won the Yale Book Award, given to a junior who shows outstanding personal character and intellectual promise.

David is competing this school year on NA's varsity sailing and indoor track teams. Last spring he won the Princeton Book Award, given to a student who demonstrates exceptional talent, competence, and leadership in both academic and non-academic pursuits, while displaying concern for the opinions of others.

Adi participates in Band and works on Fine Arts Tech Crews, including on the recently completed Winter Musical. He also served last summer as a Breakthrough at Norfolk Academy teacher. Last spring he won the Tulane Book Award, given to a junior in recognition of excellence in academics, leadership, and public service. 

Yaoyao is in the Orchestra and a student-led String Quartet. Last summer he studied at the Governor's School for Math, Science, and Technology. Last spring he won the Bowdoin Book Award for Serving the Common Good, given to a junior who demonstrates strong leadership in community service.

Roughly 15,000 students from around the country earned this merit honor. Finalists advance from the semifinalist stage by demonstrating exceptional academic performance, submitting an application with an essay, and confirming PSAT/NMSQT scores with SAT/ACT results. 

More than 1.3 million students entered the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

Norfolk Academy has been fortunate to have numerous National Merit Finalists over the years.

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization, conducts the scholarship program.