Class of 2011 National Merit Semifinalists

Leah Goldstein, Ruth Hay, Nathan James, Seth Ringel, and Jaclyn Serpico, members of the Bexley High School class of 2011, were named National Merit Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Program, announced Bexley College Counselor Stephanie Krosnosky and Secondary Schools Principal Harley Williams.  The school’s 2010-2011 senior class numbers a total of 194 students.

The National Merit Scholarship Program annually honors some 16,000 semifinalists who move forward to compete for recognition and scholarships. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.  

Ms. Goldstein is the daughter of Helen Cweren and Paul Goldstein.  Her academic interests are in the sciences, though she is not sure about a college major and looks forward to exploring new subjects.  “Outside of school I participate on an indoor rock climbing team, volunteer at Children's Hospital, and babysit.  I'm also the secretary of Bexley Key Club,” she added.  She is undecided regarding a first choice college, but is considering Emory University, Vanderbilt, and Tulane, among others.

Ms. Hay, daughter of Kate and Ranald Hay, participates as a member of the school’s academic quiz team, In the Know (ITK).  She is also active in NCSY, a national and international Jewish youth organization.  Hoping to work eventually in the aerospace industry, she has looked at the University of Maryland, but has yet to choose other colleges.  

Mr. James, son of Megan and Gregory James, plays percussion in the Bexley High School Band, where he is Vice President and a section leader.  He participates in Junior Statesmen of America (JSA) and Film Club and competes on the In the Know.  He is looking at Princeton and the Ohio University Honors Tutorial College -- “I would be incredibly happy with either one,” he said – and plans to major in political science with an eye towards a future in law.  

Mr. Ringel, son of Casey Shoemaker and Steve Ringel, is a member of the varsity cross country team and plans to run varsity track in the spring.  “I love running,” he said.  Mr. Ringel also volunteers during study hall to prepare books going to Caribbean islands, as part of the Andros Libraries Project.  “My loose list of top college choices right now are (in no particular order) Northwestern University, Cornell University, the University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie-Mellon University, and Case-Western Reserve University,” he said.

Ms. Serpico, whose parents are Maria Tarantino and Ronald Serpico, runs cross country.  She is co-captain of the Book Club and a co-editor this year of the school’s award-winning student newspaper, The Torch.  She has played piano for 13 years, with ten of those on National Roll as a member of the American College of Musicians (commonly called Piano Guild).  She said that her short list of colleges “so far,” includes Georgetown, University of Southern California, Ohio State University and Claremont McKenna College.

Each year in September, approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers on the test are notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists. These students advance to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and various other requirements, in order to be considered for a Merit Scholarship award.The students learn in the spring whether they qualify as Finalists.

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