NDA Students Recognized in 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program

Notre Dame Academy is proud to announce that senior Gabrielle Cottingham has been named a National Merit Semifinalist in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. Gabrielle took the PSAT during her junior year and scored in the top 1 percent of test takers in the nation. Now, she has the chance to compete for National Merit Finalist status and 7500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $41 million dollars that will be offered next spring.

In addition, NDA is proud to announce that seniors Onali Fernando  and Julia Hughes have been named Commended Students in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program.

“We are very proud of the accomplishments of these three students,” said NDA Principal Mr. Jack VonHandorf. “Gabrielle’s selection as a National Merit Semifinalist and Onali and Julia’s selection as Commended Students are evidence of their hard work and dedication to their education at Notre Dame Academy.  We congratulate Gabrielle, Onali, Julia and their families as we celebrate these honors.”

Pictured:
Onali Fernando, Gabrielle Cottingham and Julia Hughes


Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation named NDA senior Hannah Ziegelmeyer a semifinalist in its 2015 competition.  In earning the distinction of National Merit Semifinalist, Hannah is among the 16,000 semifinalists named in the National Merit Scholarship Program’s 60th competition recognizing each state’s top students. A total of 1.4 million high school juniors entered the program by taking the 2013 PSAT test. 

To become a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program, Hannah must now submit a scholarship application that includes information about her academic records, co-curricular activities, leadership abilities, honors, awards and employment.  By doing so, she will have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $33 million that will be offered next spring.

“We are very proud of Hannah’s accomplishment,” said Dr. Laura Koehl, President of Notre Dame Academy. “Hannah’s selection as a National Merit Semifinalist is quite an accomplishment and evidence of her hard work and dedication to her education at Notre Dame Academy.  We congratulate Hannah and her family as we celebrate this honor.”