Woodbury and Eastridge High Schools celebrate National Merit finalists and Presidential Scholar candidates

The South Washington County School Board meeting on April 24, 2025, highlighted the achievements of local students, particularly those recognized as National Merit finalists and candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

During the meeting, Sarah Sorensen Wagner from Woodbury High School and Jim Smokovich from East Ridge introduced the National Merit Scholarship Program, which honors high-achieving students based on their PSAT scores. This year, ten students from the district were named National Merit finalists, including Joey Capistrant, Mio Olson, and Arjun Centerville from Woodbury High School, and Eliza Kubachek, Yajar Ivy Lin, and others from East Ridge High School.

In addition to the National Merit recognition, the meeting also acknowledged students who are candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. This program evaluates students based on their SAT and ACT scores, along with their academic achievements and leadership activities. Notable candidates from East Ridge and Woodbury High Schools were mentioned, with several students sharing their college plans and academic interests.

Students took the opportunity to introduce themselves and discuss their future aspirations, with many expressing interest in fields such as engineering, biomedical sciences, and astrophysics. Highlights from their high school experiences included participation in robotics, science competitions, and various extracurricular activities.

The meeting also included a routine approval of consent items, which were passed without separate discussion, indicating a smooth administrative process.

Overall, the meeting celebrated the academic accomplishments of students in the district and provided a platform for them to share their future goals, reinforcing the commitment to educational excellence within the South Washington County School District.