Five more Columbus Academy students have earned recognition in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. In addition to the dozen National Merit Semifinalists announced earlier this fall, Academy seniors Eric DeVore, William Mathews and Jacob Rhee have been named 2019 National Merit Commended Students while Sarah Cabré and Callista Popp are Scholars in the 2018-19 National Hispanic Recognition Program.
From left in photo:
Sarah Cabré, daughter of Debbie Weitzman & Gilberto Cabré of New Albany
- Favorite class: Statistics
- Interests: swimming
- Possible field of study: history
William Mathews, son of Colin Mathews and Scott & Kerstin Friedman of New Albany
- Favorite class: Computer Science, Economics
- Interests: tennis, computer science, RollerChairBall Club, Latin, cycling
- Possible field of study: business and computer science
Eric DeVore, son of Thomas & Lori DeVore of Westerville
- Favorite class: Computer Science
- Interests: coding, building, swimming
- Possible field of study: electrical engineering and computer engineering
Jacob Rhee, son of Hansel & Min Rhee of New Albany
- Favorite class: Honors Modern European History
- Interests: journalism, baseball, percussion
- Possible field of study: undecided, but maybe journalism or business
Callista Popp, daughter of Dr. James Popp & Dr. Ronda Gaiser of Worthington
- Favorite class: Biology 2 and Physics 2
- Interests: running, playing field hockey, baking, swimming
- Possible field of study: business and/or engineering
William, Eric and Jacob were among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.6 million students (top 3 percent) who entered the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Competition by taking the 2017 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
Callista and Sarah scored in the top 2.5 percent among Hispanic and Latino PSAT/NMSQT test-takers last spring, and being recognized as National Hispanic Scholars will enable them to highlight their outstanding educational achievements to top colleges and universities.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 410 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the national scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.