By Eliza Hallabeck
Published: Mar 04, 2016 12:00 am
Newtown High School seniors Matthew Ingwersen and Caelan James Lang Ritter were celebrated in the school's Counseling Office on Thursday, February 18, for being named finalists in the 2016 competition for National Merit Scholarships.
Semifinalists were named in the competition in September, and from the 16,000 semifinalists 15,000 finalists were chosen. All finalists will be considered for National Merit Scholarships, which will be announced later this school year, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. According to the corporation, 7,400 students will be chosen as scholarship winners.
"We're so proud of you being National Merit Scholarship Finalists," said NHS Principal Lorrie Rodrigue to the students, just before handing out certificates to mark the occasion.
Counseling Office and other NHS staff surrounded the boys with congratulations.
Newtown High School seniors Matthew Ingwersen, center left, and Caelan James, center right, posed on February 18 with guidance counselors Ana Mendes, left, and Diedre Croce after receiving certificates for being named as finalists in the 2016 competition for National Merit Scholarships. (Bee Photo, Hallabeck)
Middle Gate Elementary School fourth grade teacher Linda Baron, standing center, led students in singing the school's song at the end of the first assembly for the school's Community Circle on citizenship on Friday, February 19. Students celebrated during the song. (Bee Photo, Hallabeck)
Projects completed by third graders at Middle Gate were on display in a room at the school. The room also had projects completed by all grade levels on how to be a good citizen. (Bee Photo, Hallabeck)
State Senator Tony Hwang, standing, spoke at Middle Gate's Community Circle on February 19. Seated from left are First Selectman Pat Llodra, police officer and Newtown Middle School School Resource Officer William Chapman, local volunteer firefighter Bill McAllister, and Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr. (Bee Photo, Hallabeck)
