Sachem High School East senior Tharini Prakash and High School North senior Paige Mennici have been named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Tharini is president of the English Honor Society, treasurer of class government and a member of the Outdoors Club. She is enrolled in a plethora of Advanced Placement classes, including physics, economics, calculus, literature, environmental science and French. Tharini plans to pursue a degree in economics and politics at one of her top three school choices: Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania or Yale University.
Paige has had perfect NYSSMA scores since eighth grade and was selected to the all-state chorus ensemble this year. She is the co-president of the Drama Club, vice president of the Music Honor Society and secretary of the National Honor Society. Paige plans to pursue a degree in music industry and song writing at The College of Saint Rose.
Approximately 15,000 students have been selected as finalists based on a number of rigorous academic requirements. The nationwide pool of finalists represents less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring from each state.
Beginning in March and concluding in June, 7,500 finalists will be notified that they have been chosen to receive a Merit Scholarship.