In this year’s senior class at Columbus Academy, 22 individuals have been awarded national academic honors as National Merit Semifinalists, Commended Students or College Board Recognition Program Scholars.
As announced earlier this fall, Irena Alahakoon, Sean Jackson, Jim Phieffer, Grace Philip, Mitch Rogers, Carey Yi and Abbey Zhao are among more than 16,000 National Merit Semifinalists who have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered in the spring.
Joining them as 2024 National Merit honorees are Annika Baking, Akshaj Jagarapu, Edison Lin, Stavros Maish, Joseph Sardo, Tanner Shah, Charlie Stoughton, Peter Tsung, Henry Wood and Will Zumberge. These Commended Students are recognized for exceptional academic promise after placing among the nation’s top 3 percent of all seniors who took last year’s PSAT.
Also, five students – Zoya Arnold, Ceci Reitter, Morgan Richards, Eliora Teferi and Alaina West – are College Board Recognition Program Scholars for their strong academic performance in the classroom and potential for success in rigorous college studies based on their PSAT results.
According to Head of School Melissa Soderberg, “If you knew each one of these students like our teachers do, you would understand how proud Columbus Academy is to have these wonderful citizens and scholars in our midst.”
Learn more about these 22 seniors below!
Irena Alahakoon, National Merit Semifinalist
- Favorite Subjects: Physics, Computer Science, Biology, Chinese
- Extracurriculars: Science Olympiad, Track & Field, Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Senior-Kindergarten Buddies
Zoya Arnold, National African American Recognition Award
- Favorite Subjects: Math, English
- Extracurriculars: Track & Field, Black Organization of Students, Battle of the Books, CASE Assistant
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Charlie David Dinner
Annika Baking, National Merit Commended Student
- Favorite Subjects: Math, Computer Science
- Extracurriculars: Volleyball, EAST Affinity Group, She’s the First Club, Service Board
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Senior-Kindergarten Buddies
Sean Jackson, National Merit Semifinalist
- Favorite Subjects: Computer Science, Physics, History
- Extracurriculars: Theatre, Robotics Club, Chess Club
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Computer Science Fair
Akshaj Jagarapu, National Merit Commended Student
- Favorite Subjects: All of Them
- Extracurriculars: Wrestling, Dev Club, Robotics Club, Greensweep, Plays/Musicals
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Senior Quad
Edison Lin, National Merit Commended Student
- Favorite Subjects: Language, Economics, Science
- Extracurriculars: Tennis, Composting Club, HOSA Club, Investing Club, EAST, Model UN, Math Club
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Convocation
Stavros Maish, National Merit Commended Student
- Favorite Subjects: Chemistry, Economics
- Extracurriculars: Track & Field, Co-Founder of Car Club
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Cabaret as a Member of Camerata
Jim Phieffer, National Merit Semifinalist
- Favorite Subjects: Multivariable Calculus, Chemistry
- Extracurriculars: Central Ohio Rowing, Wrestling, President of Robotics Club and Code Club
- Favorite Academy Tradition: First Friday Game
Grace Philip, National Merit Semifinalist
- Favorite Subjects: Math, Science
- Extracurriculars: Tennis, Track, Camerata, Service Board, Model UN, Student Representative on Alumni Board
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Senior-Kindergarten Buddies
Ceci Reitter, National Indigenous Award
- Favorite Subjects: Latin, History
- Extracurriculars: Wrestling, Co-President for United Columbus Academy & Latin Club, Member of Multiple Affinity Groups
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Senior Quad
Morgan Richards, National Hispanic Recognition Award
- Favorite Subjects: Chinese, Psychology
- Extracurriculars: Model UN, Mock Trial, Service Board
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Senior-Kindergarten Buddies and Apple-Picking
Mitch Rogers, National Merit Semifinalist
- Favorite Subjects: Economics, Latin, Ceramics
- Extracurriculars: 3D Modeling, Volunteer at Local Food Pantry
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Senior-Kindergarten Buddies
Joseph Sardo, National Merit Commended Student
- Favorite Subjects: Statistics
- Extracurriculars: Ice Hockey, Baseball, Leader of Journey 511 Christian Affinity Group
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Pep Rallies Before Beating Bexley in Football
Tanner Shah, National Merit Commended Student
- Favorite Subjects: Computer Science, Chinese
- Extracurriculars: Soccer, Tennis, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Code Club, Model UN
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Senior-Kindergarten Buddies
Charlie Stoughton, National Merit Commended Student
- Favorite Subjects: Chemistry, Environmental Science, Moral Philosophy
- Extracurriculars: Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Cross Country, Leader of Several Clubs from D&D to Greensweep as well as an Affinity Group
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Senior-Kindergarten Buddies
Eliora Teferi, National African American Recognition Award
- Favorite Subjects: Math, Science
- Extracurriculars: Volleyball, BOS, Service Board Shaper, Environmental Club
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Pep Rallies
Peter Tsung, National Merit Commended Student
- Favorite Subjects: Math, Science
- Extracurriculars: Starting Shortstop for Baseball, Co-President of East Asian Affinity Group
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Beating Bexley in Any Sport
Alaina West, National African American Recognition Award
- Favorite Subjects: Honors Psychology, Anatomy & Physiology
- Extracurriculars: Co-Leader of BOS, Student Director for Fall Play
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Senior Sunrise (new this year but will hopefully be continued)
Henry Wood, National Merit Commended Student
- Favorite Subjects: History, Philosophy
- Extracurriculars: Bowling, Choir, Theatre, Chess Club
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Senior-Kindergarten Buddies
Carey Yi, National Merit Semifinalist
- Favorite Subjects: Computer Science, Physics, English
- Extracurriculars: Math Club, Robotics Club
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Artsmania
Abbey Zhao, National Merit Semifinalist
- Favorite Subjects: Statistics, Calculus, World & U.S. History, Computer Science, Orchestra, Journalism
- Extracurriculars: Leading STEM & Humanities Clubs Plus an Affinity Group, Golf, Tutoring, Choir Outside of CA
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Senior-Kindergarten Buddies
Will Zumberge, National Merit Commended Student
- Favorite Subjects: Physics, Math, History
- Extracurriculars: Rowing for Central Ohio Rowing, Volunteer for Greater Columbus Rowing Association
- Favorite Academy Tradition: Senior-Kindergarten Buddies