Newtown High School surprised and honored seniors on September 28 who earned recognition as Commended Students for the 2018 National Merit Program.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, according to the corporation. Commended Students are recognized for achieving top scores on the test, and, while they do not continue as semifinalists for National Merit Scholarships, they become candidates for scholarships from businesses and corporations.

This year's Commended Students were gathered in the school's guidance department for the announcement. Once each student was present, Interim Principal David Roach announced the news and congratulated the students.

"You guys finished in the top three percent," said Mr Roach.

Guidance counselors handed students certificates to mark the occasion.

Students who were named as Commended Students in the 2018 National Merit Program were Ravi Ahuja, Michael Arther, James Barden, Dyllon Chowdhury, Rory Edwards, Talia Hankin, and Kevin Reiss.