Two Named Commended Students in National Merit Scholarship Program

two high school students pose and smile
CCHS Commended Students Gautham Salgam (left) and Joseph Vachaparambil.

Colonie Central High School students Gautham Salgam and Joseph Vachaparambil have been named Commended Students in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program.

A Letter of Commendation from the School and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, was presented these scholastically talented seniors.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2018 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2018 competition by taking the 2016 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

“The young men and women being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” said a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

Colonie Central High School has one senior, Francis Cheeran, who remains in the National Merit Competition as a semifinalist. Congratulations to all the Colonie Central High School students who participated in the National Merit Scholarship Program.