National Merit Scholarships announce high school finalists

Nine students from Agoura High School and three from Calabasas High School have been named National Merit Scholarship finalists.

Aaron Alpert, Alexander Fiance, Rashell Khan, Mackenzie Most, Pasha Nahass, Matthew Samuels, Jeffrey Su, Justin Tseng and Brian Yeh, all from Agoura High, entered the finals of the scholastic competition.

Calabasas High School finalists include Lauren Blackham, Michael Esgro and David Lee.

At a recent Las Virgenes Unified School District Board of Education meeting, district Superintendent Sandra Smyser noted the accomplishments of the finalists.

"This is quite an honor. It's quite a tribute to your hard work, family support and the schools themselves," Smyser said.

Agoura High Principal Larry Misel introduced the students from both schools.

The students, Misel said, had reached the "upper atmosphere" of scholars as finalists in the competition.

"I am proud of the students, staff and community for supporting our students in their quest for academic success," Misel said.

The 12 students are among 15,000 finalists. The selection of 8,200 Merit Scholarship winners will be chosen from this group. The winners will receive a $2,500 scholarship.

Students enter the nation's largest scholastic competition by taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test during their sophomore or junior year. The test compares critical reading, math problem solving and writing skills of high school students throughout the nation.

More than 1.2 million students compete for the National Merit Award each year.

In addition to academic accomplishments, students are also judged on extracurricular activities and other talents.