Montgomery Township Board of Education Recognizes 15 National Merit Scholarship Finalists

March 19, 2025

By Nicholas Mistretta

MONTGOMERY, NJ – March 18, 2024 – The Montgomery Township Board of Education meeting on Monday night featured a proud moment for the school district as Guidance Supervisor Cory Delgado introduced 15 Montgomery High School students who have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists.

The students recognized for this prestigious academic achievement are: Sean Cao, Aaron Chai, Evelyn Chan, Eric Han, David Ji, Ryan Kang, Sourish Pramanik, Vikramaditya Rajput, Vishnu Sharma, Vrittee Sobti, Brian Sun, Eddie Tang, Arvind Vijayshankar, Max Xing, and Kevin Zhao.

Delgado provided an overview of the National Merit Scholarship Program, explaining that it was established in 1955 and has since remained one of the most competitive academic competitions in the country. Each year, approximately 1.5 million students from 22,000 high schools enter the competition by taking the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) during their junior year.

“These students not only scored among the highest in New Jersey on the PSATs, but they also continued to meet rigorous academic standards throughout their high school careers,” Delgado stated.

A Rigorous Selection Process
The journey for these students began in 11th grade, where their PSAT scores pared them down to 16,000 semifinalists representing the top academic performers in the country from a pool that began with 1.5 million students nationwide.

To advance to Finalist standing, students were required to submit a detailed application, which included their academic records, extracurricular achievement, and an intensive personal essay. Additionally, they had to maintain exceptional academic performance through both their junior and senior years. They also had to attain high SAT and ACT scores to confirm their PSAT success.

“Their hard work, dedication, and perseverance have placed them in the top 1% of students nationwide,” Delgado emphasized. “This achievement opens the door to significant scholarship opportunities and national recognition.”

A Moment of Recognition
Following Delgado’s remarks, Montgomery High School Principal Heather Pino joined him in honoring each finalist, presenting them with a certificate to commemorate their accomplishment.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation will announce the winners of college-sponsored, corporate-sponsored, and National Merit $2,500 scholarships later this spring. These students now stand as strong candidates for prestigious financial awards and academic honors that will support their future college careers.