During the Nov. 9 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, three Catasauqua High School students were recognized for recent accomplishments.

Hannah Kurczeski and Madison Harth were named commended students in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. They each received a letter of commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, presented by Superintendent of Schools Robert Spengler and board President Duane Deitrich.

Approximately 34,000 commended students are being recognized throughout the nation for exceptional academic promise. Commended students placed in the top 50,000 students who entered the 2022 competition by taking the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

“Those being named commended students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success. These students represent a valuable national resource,” according to the National Merit Scholarship Program. “Recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

Additionally, Kurczeski and Angele Diamacoune were honored through the College Board National Recognition Program. They also received a certificate from Spengler and Deitrich.

The College Board National Recognition Programs create pathways to college for underrepresented students by awarding them academic honors and connecting them with universities across the country. Students who take the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10 or AP Exams and are African American or Black, Hispanic American or Latinx, indigenous or attend school in a rural area or small town, may be invited to apply for academic recognition as part of the program.

Diamacoune was recognized as a National African American Program Award Recipient, and Kurczeski was a National Rural and Small Town Program Award Recipient.

The College Board National Recognition Programs grant students academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications. Colleges use these honors to identify students from underrepresented groups who have excelled on their PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10 or AP Exams and in their classrooms.

CHS Principal Adam Schnug said he cannot remember a time when CHS had students honored in this way during his time at the school.

“I’m certain we have had National Merit Scholars before, but I believe it has been a while,” Schnug said, adding he cannot recall this honor happening in his six years in the district. “This district is dedicated to academic excellence. I think what makes this so special is these students were able to do this when conditions were not favorable because of the pandemic.”

“Thanks for representing us so well,” Spengler said.

Several of the board members also shared their congratulations to the students and thanked them for their hard work and efforts.

“I’m just so proud of them and their academic accomplishments,” Schnug said. “It’s a proud moment for CHS.”