Commended Students of the National Merit Scholarship program include DHS seniors in the front (left to right): Sandra Arnold, Ann Berglund and Emily Hemingway. Back row: Joshua Stevens and Matthew Koloski. These local five represent some of the most academically talented students in the country.

Delano High School Principal Matt Schoen announces that Sandra Arnold, Ann Berglund, Emily Hemingway, Joshua Stevens and Matthew Koloski have been chosen as National Merit Commended Students. A Letter of Commendation has been presented by Schoen to these scholastically talented seniors.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2010 competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2010 competition by taking the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

A spokesperson for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation commented, "Recognition of high achieving students is essential to advancing education excellence in our nation. As demonstrated by their outstanding performance in our highly competitive program, the young men and woman named Commended Students represent some of the most academically talented students in our country. We sincerely hope this recognition will enhance their educational opportunities and encourage them in their pursuit of academic success."