This year, two local students have been named National Merit semifinalists, placing in the top one percent of all students taking the 2014 PSAT college readiness test. Evan Skaja is a National Honor Society and Link Crew member in his senior year at Maple Grove High School. He plays football, club basketball and has taken eight AP courses. Skaja also volunteers at Rush Creek Elementary.
Senior Heather MacMurdo qualifies for the International Baccalaureate Diploma program. She participates in National Honor Society, marching band, swimming and is captain in both cross-country and track at Park Center Senior High. MacMurdo volunteers at Second Harvest, Edinbrook Church, and went on a mission trip to Belize last summer.
National finalists are announced in February.
Additionally, the following six Maple Grove High School students were named National Merit Commended Students, placing among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who participated in the test: Erik Tillman, Arpan Pal, Michael Lu, Nicholas Collins, Allie Rudin and Alexandra Orta.
