Joseph Niczky and Kevin Sackel Named National Merit Finalists

Bethpage High School is pleased to announce that seniors Joseph Niczky and Kevin Sackel were named Finalists in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Competition (NMSC). Joseph and Kevin were identified as Semifinalists in September 2008 based on their Preliminary State Assessment Test (PSAT) scores.

The PSAT serves as a qualifying test for the NMSC, and 8,200 of the 15,000 nationwide Semifinalists advance to Finalist standing by meeting high academic standards along with other requirements. Students that reach this level have the prospect of earning $2,500 scholarships provided by National Merit, Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships renewable for either one-time awards or four years of undergraduate study, or College-sponsored scholarships in other amounts. National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced this spring.

Joseph and Kevin clearly have impressive high school records that demonstrate their worthiness as Finalists. Both are National Honor Society members who maintain high grade point averages while participating in a number of additional activities both in and outside of school. Joseph serves as President of the Spanish Club and Treasurer of Students Putting an End to Cancer, and is a valuable asset to the Cross Country Swim Team and Spring Track Team. He plans to study history in college. Kevin plans to study Mathematics in college and was recently published in a national Mathematics journal. He is also involved in the High School’s Robotics Club, All-County Orchestra, and Masquers Guild.

Photo: Karina Stabile, Syntax Communication