16 Eden Prairie students named National Merit Finalists

Sixteen seniors from Eden Prairie Schools have been named National Merit finalists.

“These outstanding Eagles — 15 from EPHS and one from EP Online — scored in the top 1% of 1.3 million 11th graders in about 21,000 high schools nationwide to qualify for this prestigious recognition,” the district said in a statement shared with the school community. “This remarkable achievement reflects their dedication, hard work and academic excellence.” 

The finalists are Aditi Ginuga, Alisha Shah, Ayobanji Olofinboba, Calvin Zhou, Darren Nguyen, Emily Oberleitner, Isha Shah, Lucinda Jacobs, Matthew Ivey, Melody Li, Nicholas Song, Riley LaMouthe, Simon Grabiel, William Beuning and Ziwei Chen from Eden Prairie High School, and Reese Farinas from EP Online.

These students will now be considered for National Merit Scholarships based on their applications, which included essays, test scores, grades, and letters of recommendation from their schools. Scholarship awards will be announced later this spring.

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National Merit Scholars are selected by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) based on their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. From the finalist pool, about 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million will be awarded.

About National Merit Scholarship Corporation

NMSC, a nonprofit organization established in 1955, operates without government assistance and conducts the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by about 280 business organizations, higher education institutions, and individual donors that share its goal of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.