Bishop Connolly Students Receive Prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program Honors

Two Bishop Connolly students, Anya Costello, of Fall River, and Cora Simone, of Tiverton, RI, have received recognition by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) for their exceptional academic achievement. Anya Costello was named a Semifinalist in the 68th annual National Merit Scholarship Program and will advance in the competition, which offers some 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million to students who are academically talented. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, with half of the Finalists earning a National Merit Scholarship and the title of Merit Scholar^®. Cora Simone was named a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Program, receiving a Letter of Commendation from NMSC presented by Bishop Connolly President Kathleen St. Laurent and Megan dos Santos, Vice Principal of Academic Affairs.

“The entire Bishop Connolly community is extremely proud of the achievements of both Anya and Cora, who have worked diligently in their academic studies here at BCHS,” said St. Laurent. “This prestigious national recognition honors these young ladies’ scholastic talent, steadfast work, and determination to reach for their academic goals. Congratulations to each of them.”

NMSC was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 340 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.