Congratulations to Freeport High School student Ryan Stortz, who has been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program as a Commended Student. Founded in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition that provides outstanding students with an opportunity for recognition and scholarships. High school students enter the program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), a test which serves as an initial screening of more than 1.5 million entrants each year.
As a Commended Student, Ryan is among roughly 34,000 of the approximately 50,000 high scorers on the PSAT/NMSQT to receive a Letter of Commendation in recognition of his outstanding academic promise. Commended Students are named on the basis of a nationally applied Selection Index score, which is comprised of scores in critical reading, mathematics and writing. Although they do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, some of these students do become candidates for Special Scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.
Ryan has taken eight challenging Advanced Placement courses during his high school career. He enjoys music and has been playing the tenor saxophone at Freeport High School for four years, including two years as a member of the Wind Ensemble.
Freeport also congratulates Shakira Walden and Samuel Harding for their recognition as Outstanding Participants in this year's National Achievement Scholarship Program, a scholastic competition that annually recognizes Black American high school students with exceptional academic promise. Shakira is active in her school community, serving as a Peer Leader and peer tutor. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and captain of the Junior Varsity Lacrosse team. Samuel is involved in rigorous academics and extracurricular activities as well. He is enrolled in the honors-level Wind Ensemble, has been a member of the NJROTC, and is currently taking Advanced Placement Physics. Congratulations to these outstanding students on their academic achievements.