3 LBHS Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

LONG BEACH, NY — Three Long Beach High School seniors have been named National Merit Semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Maya Arengo, Uma Arengo and Tyler Collinson are among approximately 16,000 students throughout the nation to earn this distinction out of more than 1.6 million that took the PSAT last year.

All three semifinalists are dedicated students who are actively involved in academics and extracurricular programs. They are each involved in the National Honor Society, for which Tyler serves as a board member, are International Baccalaureate Diploma candidates and have participated in the Science Research Program.

Twins Maya and Uma have many shared achievements as well as individual ones. They are co-vice presidents of the math team and both are AP Scholars with Distinction, National Hispanic Recognition Program honorees and past participants in the Institute of Merit and Columbia University Scholars Program. They competed in the Long Island Math Fair, where Uma earned a gold medal and Maya won bronze, and express their writing talents through the Fragments literary magazine. Maya additionally contributes to the Tide school newspaper. Maya is working on an IB Extended Essay that features the Shakespeare play "Richard III." Uma is basing hers on the Joseph Heller novel "Catch-22." In addition to their academic accomplishments, Maya plays the viola and has performed in LISFA and All-County ensembles, while Uma is a violinist.

Tyler is a World Language Honor Society member and is co-editor of the Tide and Fragments. Her IB Extended Essay will focus on the similarities and differences between two dystopian novels. She is co-captain of the varsity tennis team and a member of Athletes Helping Athletes. She plays the cello in the orchestra and outside of school, volunteers at Big Brothers Big Sisters as a mentor.

Finalists in the competition will be announced in February.