Local students chosen for National Merit Scholarship

WESTFALL - Eight Delaware Valley High School students were recognized in the 2007 National Merit Scholarship Program for exceptional scores on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the qualifying test, which serves as an initial screen of entrants, and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements. Students who score well on the test can advance to Semifinalist status and then, Finalist status. The Finalists are eligible for Merit Scholarships. All winners of Merit Scholarship® awards (Merit Scholar® designees) will be chosen from the Finalist group, based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments. Four of the eight Delaware Valley High School seniors were distinguished with the Semifinalist status, which reflects their high scores. They are Donald Bickmann, son of Patricia and Donald Bickmann of Milford; Sarah McKean, daughter of Laurie and Michael McKean of Shohola; Skyler Schneider, son of Celina and Tom Schneider of Dingman’s Ferry and Kaelyn Stadtmueller, daughter of Diane and Richard Stadtmueller of Dingman’s Ferry. Although they will not continue in the 2007 competition for Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students are also recognized for their achievement on the scholastic aptitude test. The Commended students from Delaware Valley High School are Gina Abbadessa, daughter of Justina Krasinski of Milford and Matthew Abbadessa of Port Jervis; Ashley Cahill, daughter of Richard and Ana Rosa Cahill of Milford; Keith Fritschie, son of Sharon and Jeffrey Fritschie of Dingman’s Ferry; and Robert Pike, son of Bette and Charles Pike of Milford.