COMMENDED EGHS STUDENTS IN THE 2014 NATIONAL MERIT® SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Press Release-

The principal, Michael Podraza, of East Greenwich High School, announced today that
Eleanor G. Bodell-Kudla, Julia E. Gowell, Christopher D. Luo and Michelle Xiong have been
named Commended Students in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of
Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which
conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to these scholastically talented seniors.
“These four students are an embodiment of the East Greenwich High School mission and
core values,” said Podraza. “They have achieved success measured against the highest academic
standards. The EGHS community is extremely proud of them and is honored to celebrate their
accomplishment.”
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their
exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2014 competition for
National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more
than 1.5 million students who entered the 2014 competition by taking the 2012 Preliminary SAT/
National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMQT®).
“Recognizing academically talented students plays a fundamental role in the
advancement of educational excellence within our nation,” commented an NMSC spokesperson.
“The young people recognized as Commended Students represent some of the best and brightest
minds in the country. We sincerely hope this recognition will provide them with additional
educational outlets and motivate them in their pursuit of academic achievement.”