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WILLIAMSPORT AREA
SCHOOL NEWS
570-327-5500 • wasd . org
HARVARD-BOUND WAHS SENIOR NAMED A 2023 NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
Williamsport Area High School senior Ben Manetta has been named a 2023 National Merit Scholarship winner from a pool of more than 15,000 finalists nationwide .
The scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors , who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the finalists and their high schools : the academic record , including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned ; scores from the Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test ; contributions and leadership in school and community activities ; an essay written by the finalist ; and a recommendation by a high school official . Winners receive a $ 2,500 scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation .
“ I ’ m very honored to be a recipient of the National Merit Scholarship ,” Manetta said . “ I thank my family and teachers for their support through the process . I ’ m looking forward to graduation and the transition to college in the fall .”
Manetta ’ s academic course load through his senior year included a full slate of honors courses , such as AP Latin , AP Physics , AP Studio Art , AP English Literature , AP U . S . History , and AP Psychology . He ’ s a member of the WAHS concert and jazz bands . An oboist , he performed in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association ( PMEA ) All-State Wind Ensemble last year . He ’ s also on the tennis team , serves on his class executive board , and participates in Model UN .
In March , he was recognized as an Outstanding Student at the Williamsport / Lycoming Chamber of Commerce ’ s annual Education Celebration . This fall , he ’ ll attend Harvard University , where he plans to study Biology .
“ Ben is an exceptional student and member of our school community ,” said Principal Dr . Justin Ross . “ To be selected as a National Merit Scholarship winner is a significant achievement , and we couldn ’ t be more proud of him . We look forward to seeing what he will accomplish in the future .”
National Merit scholarship winners are the finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments , skills , and potential for success in rigorous college studies . The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state ’ s percentage of the nation ’ s graduating high school seniors . The National Merit Scholarship Corporation , a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance , was established in 1955 to conduct the National Merit Scholarship Program . Scholarships are underwritten by the corporation with its own funds and by about 340 business organizations and higher education institutions that share the corporation ’ s goals of honoring the nation ’ s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence .
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