Avon High School Students Win National Merit Award

AVON, CT — An Avon High School student and an Avon Old Farms School student have won a $2500 National Merit Scholarship award. Across the country, there were 2500 Merit Scholars selected out of a pool of 16,000 finalists.

Avon High School student Isabelle Russo won the National Merit award. Her probable career field is medicine.

Avon Old Farms School student August Berklas won the National Merit award. His probable career field is astrophysics.

National Merit $2500 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, according to a National Merit statement. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.

These 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 including academic record, scores from the PSATs, and contributions and leadership in school and community activities.