Eastside Catholic School is thrilled to announce that three outstanding seniors, Aryan Sanghi, Ayush Thapa and Dylan Wissner, have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists in recognition of their exceptional academic achievements. These talented students join approximately 15,000 high school seniors nationwide who have earned this prestigious honor.

High School Principal Soonja Larsen praised the students’ achievements: “We are excited to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of Aryan, Ayush and Dylan. This is a remarkable honor, and we are incredibly proud of their hard work, dedication and commitment to both academic excellence and extracurricular pursuits throughout high school. We wish them continued success as they advance in the National Merit Scholarship Competition!”

As finalists, Aryan, Ayush and Dylan are eligible to compete for 6,870 National Merit Scholarships, collectively worth approximately $17 million, which will be awarded in the coming months.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is a highly competitive academic recognition, with more than 1.3 million students qualifying by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring students from each state. Finalists are selected based on their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Eastside Catholic is especially proud to note that all three students are also alumni of our middle school, reflecting the strength of our comprehensive educational program. Each student shared their future goals and valuable advice for younger students.

• Aryan Sanghi plans to study computer science in college and advises underclassmen to "avoid procrastination as unexpected challenge can come up at any time. Additionally, if a class or extracurricular activity seems interesting, do it. People regret not trying more than taking a chance."

• Ayush Thapa hopes to attend a West Coast college to explore computer science and its intersection with media, including music, games, animation and simulation. "Be open to new experiences, especially ones that challenge you or take you out of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid of difficult things. Instead, you should embrace them. Nothing worth having comes easy."

• Dylan Wissner is interested in applied mathematics, computer science, engineering, physics and history and aims to attend a top-tier college. He offered several pieces of advice for younger students: "First, most harder class options at Eastside Catholic are possible, just more difficult, as long you don't skip progression. Second, if you have free time and homework, do the homework – you’ll be surprised how much you can get done. Third, don't cram for a test. Study a little bit throughout the entire unit; it takes less time overall and works better. Fourth, understand why something works, not just the rule – it will help you grasp it more deeply. Finally, use the additional support systems available at Eastside Catholic. The people here want you to succeed and the systems in place are designed to help you learn. A lot of people among both the faculty and staff – such as my teachers, the administration and Student Services – have helped me over the years to get me to where I am today, and they are just as eager to help you as they were to help me."

Eastside Catholic School commends Aryan, Ayush and Dylan for their remarkable achievements, who all began their academic journey at Eastside Catholic in middle school. Their success is a testament to their dedication and hard work, and the supportive and nurturing environment that Eastside Catholic fosters for all students.