3 POBJFKHS Students Named Winners for National Merit Scholarships

Plainview, N.Y. - Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School is proud to announce that three of its most academically talented seniors, Elijah Blum, Ishaan Jhawar, and Brian I. Lee, have been selected recipients of National Merit Scholarships. The students were each awarded $2,500 based on their exemplary scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

Elijah Blum, POBJFKHS Class of 2021 salutatorian, is graduating with a cumulative GPA of 102.699. Elijah is currently a researcher at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory through the Partners for the Future program and formerly served as a NYBG Pfizer Laboratory research assistant. Elijah is also a selectee for the All-Eastern Honors Band, as well as the All-State Band. He will be attending Cornell University in the fall where he plans to study Biological Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science.

Ishaan Jhawar is being offered the National Merit Northeastern University Scholarship, a college-sponsored Merit Scholarship award for use at a participating institution. Ishaan is a clarinet player in the school’s band and marching band and holds a cumulative GPA of 99.32. Throughout his high school years, Ishaan has taken a wide variety of AP courses (10 in total) across all disciplines. Ishaan’s academic and career focus is in the STEM field, and he hopes to become an engineer. Ishaan will be attending Northeastern University in the fall to study Mechanical Engineering.

Brian Lee, who is also a U.S. Presidential Scholarship Candidate this year, has achieved a GPA of 101.5 and is currently engaged in research to prepare for medical school. Brian is a talented musician playing both the violin and piano and was selected to play in the All-County Orchestra for three years, and more recently, the All-State Orchestra. He is a valuable member of the high school’s Model UN club, having held various leadership positions and organized a fundraising concert for the American Cancer Society-Asian Initiatives.

For more information about the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District, please visit the District’s website at www.pobschools.org. Exciting activities happening throughout the District and programs celebrating student achievement can also be found on the District’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pobschools/