Twelve members of the Class of 2024 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.

These 12 CBA students were in the top-four percent of all students who took the NMSQT, earning these impressive designations.

“I would like to congratulate our Class of 2024 National Merit Commended Scholars,” Principal Neil Begley ’96 said. “This accomplishment is a great testament to your academic prowess and brings tremendous honor to both yourself and Christian Brothers Academy. We have the utmost confidence that this success will carry over into your collegiate careers and beyond.”

One student qualified as National Merit semifinalists, Brady Prunty, which means that his performance on the test was in the top 16,000 of 1.3 million students who took the 2022 PSAT/NMSQT. They will now be eligible to receive one of 7,500 National Merit Scholarships, which will be announced in the spring.

Fifteen more seniors were recognized as National Merit commended scholars: Michael Child, Matthew Dapra, Henry DiVita, Nicolas Fabricant, Sean Galvin, Mark Giacona, Everett Kaeli, Alex Kemp, James Larrabee, Matthew McLaughlin and Manuel McPolin.

This group of 11 exceptional students recorded within the top 34,000 NMSQT Selection Index scores, which is calculated by doubling the sum of the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math test scores.

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.