Newtown High School Principal Kimberly Longobucco announced the eight Newtown High School students recognized as Commended Students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program at the school on Monday, September 30.

David Baghdady, Kelsey Brennan, Shawn Cardamone, Connor Child, Evan Cowley, Annabelle Foley, Emily Li, and Jonathan Ramzy all walked down into the school’s counseling office for the special announcement, where they were greeted and celebrated by Longobucco, guidance counselors, and several other NHS staff members. Each Commended Student received their own Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which is a not-for-profit organization that conducts the program and operates without government assistance.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition among high school students for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships that started in 1955. Students entered into the program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test last October. The NMSC identified the 50,000 highest performers and notified their high schools in April.

About 34,000 high performers throughout the nation were recognized as Commended Students for their exceptional academic accomplishments and promise. The other 16,000 of these performers were designated as Semifinalists, and have the opportunity to continue in the competition and advance to Finalist standing by meeting additional requirements. NHS’s Semifinalists, Sadie Baimel and Aadit Jerfy, were previously announced at the school on Thursday, September 12.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.