Board Recognizes National Merit Students

Seven students were recognized Monday night by the school board for their achievement in the National Merit Scholarship program.

Of those seven students, three are among about 16,000 national semi-finalists for the prestigious scholarships. This year, roughly 8,300 students will receive a scholarship—or less than one percent of the more than 1.5 million applicants.

The three St. Louis Park semi-finalists are:

• Sam Vinitsky
• Doug Carmody
• Michael Tuschman

Four other Orioles were honored as "Commended Students." They are:

• Emma Vitale
• Grace Pastoor
• Alayne Beneke
• Matthew Cramer

Six of the seven students (Doug Carmody couldn't attend) spoke in front of the school board Monday night, thanking their parents as well as three of the most influential teachers they've had to date.

Students who earn a standard National Merit Scholarship receive $2,500 toward college.