Three students were recognized in the National Merit Scholarship academic competition. Senior Poonam Agrawal was one of the 15 students in CFISD confirmed as a semifinalist.

Cypress Ridge’s two National Merit commended students are senior Melinda Powers and senior Thanh Vu.

Agrawal scored a 221 on the national Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

“I was very excited and surprised because no one has ever gotten it in Cy Ridge for like the past five years,” Agrawal said.

In preparation for the test, Agrawal studied during the weekends. Not only that, but she also did a summer program for summer scholars taught by English teacher Sheila Bartley and calculus teacher Dwight Aikey.

“Being a National Merit Semifinalist isn’t just something to add to a college application, it’s the idea of knowing that hard work pays off in the end,” Agrawal said.

Agrawal plans to go to University of Texas at Austin, and is currently ranked 1 in the class of 2017.

Senior Melinda Powers scored a 211 on the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Powers was amazed to know that all of her hard work had pay off on test.

“Proceed as if success is inevitable,” Powers said.

Thanh Vu felt really happy, honored and accomplished for getting this honor.

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire,” Vu said.

National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships which began in 1955.

Agrawal plans to go to University of Texas at Austin, and is currently ranked 1 in the class of 2017.
Powers scored a 211 on the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Powers was amazed to know that all of her hard work had pay off on test.

“Proceed as if success is inevitable,” Powers said.

Vu felt really happy, honored and accomplished for getting this honor.

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire,” Vu said.

National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships which began in 1955.