Students honored at scholarship event

MICHAEL COONS/The Acorn SEMIFINALISTS-Agoura High School Principal Larry Misel, left, says a few words to guests during a presentation of this year's Agoura High School National Merit Scholarship semifinalists. They are (from left to right): Danielle Ogez, Kaley McMahon, Mala Mandyam, Peter Lai, David Jacobs, Clarmyra Hayes, Michael Greenbaum and Vamsidhar Chavakula. Various VIPs shared their congratulations.

Nine Agoura High School students were honored last week at a special school program recognizing their achievement on the Pre-Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT). The students were selected as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

Vamsidhar Chavakula, Hannah Glass, Michael Greenbaum, Clarmyra Hayes, David Jacobs, Peter Lai, Mala Mandyam, Kaley McMahon and Danielle Ogez were recognized by state Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, Las Virgenes Unified School District representatives, school administrators, teachers and students.

Chavakula earned perfect PSAT scores on all three tests for a combined score of 240, said Agoura High School Principal Larry Misel.

The National Merit Scholarship program is run by the College Board, which also publishes the SAT, which most colleges require for their admissions’ process.

Students in their junior year who achieve the highest PSAT scores in the nation are selected as National Merit Scholarshp semifinalists, and later are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship finalist distinction. Finalists qualify for a variety of scholarships.

—Stephanie Bertholdo