Seniors Louisa Joy (Walnut Hills) and Ayaan Arif (Mason) were selected as winners of a prestigious and highly competitive $2,500 scholarship, underwritten by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). This award recognizes only a small number of students for their outstanding academic achievements.
"I am incredibly grateful to receive this scholarship, as it represents the culmination of the hard work I've put into my academic journey," says Louisa. "From academics and extracurriculars to work and personal projects, this scholarship reminds me of all the opportunities that I've had to pursue my interests throughout high school."
Each year, over 1.5 million high school juniors take the PSAT, with the top scorers advancing to the Semifinalist and Finalist levels. From there, the pool of potential winners is narrowed even further, and only about 7,500 students nationwide are chosen to receive National Merit Scholarships. Of those, fewer than half, or less than 0.2% of the initial participants, are awarded the National Merit $2,500 Scholarship, making this distinction particularly meaningful.
"Winning this scholarship affirms the resilience and curiosity that have shaped my academic development,” says Ayaan. “It recognizes not only my academic achievements but also my commitment to applying knowledge with purpose – whether through engineering projects, literary analysis, or collaborative problem-solving."
Louisa and Ayaan are both preparing for the next steps in their academic journeys. Louisa will attend Princeton University this fall as a French major, with plans to pursue a career in international business law. Ayaan, who has been accepted to The Ohio State University, will study biomedical engineering with the goal of developing healthcare technologies that promote equity and accessibility.
Their selection for the National Merit $2,500 Scholarship highlights their academic dedication and achievement, and their continued success is a testament to the hard work they’ve demonstrated throughout their high school careers.
“Both Louisa and Ayaan have made lasting impacts on our community through their creativity, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to social good,” says Charles McGivern, associate director of college counseling. “Louisa’s dedication to the arts and advocacy for marginalized voices, along with Ayaan’s drive for academic excellence and innovative contributions, reflect the very qualities that make them deserving of this prestigious recognition. Their hard work and passion are sure to continue shaping the world for the better.”