Avon Grove School District honored 11 Avon Grove High School (AGHS) students with a ceremony on March 14, celebrating their placement in the National Merit Scholarship Program. 

Among these students, Jacob Akana, Madison Butler, Sophie Deering, Russell Dunlap, Adelaide Etshman, Tejvir Gill, Leah Gray, Abigail Keller and Elisabeth Roberts, were recognized as Commended Students in the program. They were among 34,000 students nationally who achieved Commended status based on their Selection Index qualifying scores and received a Letter of Commendation in the fall.

Additionally, Tyler Dalton and Sindhuja Kanamarlapudi, two AGHS students who were named semifinalists earlier in the year, were recently notified that they had been selected as finalists. As finalists, Dalton and Kanamarlapudi are among 16,000 students nationally who received Certificates of Merit from the program and are now in final consideration for a scholarship. Scholarship awardees will be notified beginning in April.

The ceremony, which took place at Avon Grove High School, served as a platform to honor these students for their remarkable achievements. Each student's guidance counselor delivered speeches highlighting their efforts and accomplishments during their tenure at Avon Grove. Parents, faculty, and administrators in attendance were treated to accounts of the students' noteworthy academic, extracurricular and personal achievements.

Avon Grove High School Principal Dr. Christie Snead expressed admiration for the students, noting, “Each of these students display incredible work ethic. Not only with their academic successes, but with their contributions that extend beyond the classroom.”

The recognition holds significant value, with National Merit Scholars often sought after on college applications and potentially opening the door to more opportunities. Snead underscored the vast potential that this recognition brings, remarking, "For these students, this milestone signifies only the start of their journey, and we can’t wait to see their future accomplishments.”