CBA Seniors Earn Accolades in National Merit Scholarship Program
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CBA Seniors Earn Accolades in National Merit Scholarship Program
Jason Lutz
Twenty-one members of the Class of 2026 were recognized in the National Merit Scholarship Program for their performance on the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT), which is taken in conjunction with the PSAT during junior year.
Senior Colin Purcell - one of these 21 students - was named a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Purcell is one of 16,000 students - out of nearly 1.5 million - to advance to the semifinalist round of the program. He is now eligible to receive a National Merit Scholarship, which will be awarded in the spring.
“It’s extremely rewarding to see my hard work recognized, but it also is very humbling because I know nothing would be possible without all the people who’ve supported me,” Purcell said. “CBA is special in that everyone—teachers and students alike—pushes you to do your best.”
His qualification comes from a terrific performance on the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT), which is taken in conjunction with the PSAT each fall.
An impressive 20 seniors were named Commended Students after participating in the NMSQT as part of their PSAT last year. These students recorded a score that ranked in the top 50,000 of nearly 1.5 million tests administered in the fall of 2024.
"These 21 seniors should be very proud of this terrific accomplishment,” Principal Neil Begley ‘96 said. “Over the past three years, they have been committed to rigorous academic studies at CBA and this is certainly a product of their hard work. We are confident they will continue to be successful not only in their remaining time with us, but also in their collegiate studies and beyond.”
The National Merit Scholarship program began in 1955 with the stated purpose of recognizing and honoring academically students in America. The program’s mission includes both promoting a wider and deeper respect for learning in general and for exceptionally talented individuals in particular and shining a spotlight on brilliant students to encourage their pursuit of academic excellence at all levels of education.