Shady Side Academy Students Named Finalists

All 11 Shady Side Academy semifinalists have advanced to become finalists in the 57th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. 

These academically talented seniors have the opportunity to win one of 8,300 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $34 million, this spring. There are approximately 15,000 finalists nationwide. 

The Shady Side Academy finalists are:

Yuval Ben-David (Squirrel Hill)

Shamika Dighe (North Huntingdon)

Cody Han (Irwin)

Jenna Hebert ()

Peter Kann (Fox Chapel)

Christopher Leech (Squirrel Hill)

Campbell Nilsen (Fox Chapel)

Vivek Nimgaonkar (Point Breeze)

Alexander Rodosky (Fox Chapel)

Athif Wulandana ()

Amy Zhang (Cheswick)

These students were among more than 1.5 million high school juniors who took the 2010 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of entrants. The pool of semifinalists included the highest scoring entrants in each state.

To advance to the finalist stage, semifinalists had to demonstrate an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the principal/school head, earn SAT scores that confirmed the qualifying test performance, and submit a detailed scholarship application that included an essay and information about participation and leadership in school and community activities.

Finalists are eligible to win one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships, as well as 1,000 corporate-sponsored scholarships and 4,800 college-sponsored awards. Winners are chosen based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin or religious preference. A variety of information is available for NMSC selectors to evaluate: the finalist's academic record, information about the school's curricula and grading system, two sets of test scores, the high school official's written recommendation, information about the student's activities and leadership, and the finalist's own essay.

Shady Side Academy is a nationally respected private school in Pittsburgh for boys and girls in grades pre-kindergarten through 12, with an optional five-day boarding experience in high school. Three age-specific campuses with extraordinary resources, teachers who actively mentor, a forward-thinking curriculum, a diverse and inclusive community, and a legacy of alumni accomplishments all inspire Shady Side students to high achievement in academics, the arts and athletics, and to meaningful ambitions in life. Learn more: www.shadysideacademy.org