Minnetonka High School Recognizes Senior Success

Ten Minnetonka High School seniors have been named 2013 National Merit Semifinalists. Two seniors are National Achievement Semifinalists. These students scored among the nation’s best on the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) taken during their junior year. 
 
Congratulations to Minnetonka’s Class of 2013 National Merit Semifinalists: 
• Heather Blundell, Rogers (daughter of Dorene and Dirk Blundell) 
• Alexandra Braiedy, Chanhassen (daughter of Tami and Jeffrey Braiedy) 
• Charles Du, Excelsior (son of Cao Huajun and Dianhai Du) 
• Justin Horst, Tonka Bay (son of Shelly and Scott Horst) 
• Shelby Koskela, Minnetonka (daughter of Rebecca and Merlin Koskela) 
• Julia Marshall, Excelsior (daughter of Martha McNey and Jeffrey Marshall) 
• Jacob Neis, Eden Prairie (son of Cathy and Tim Neis) 
• Russell Nelson, Eden Prairie (son of Sally and Craig Nelson) 
• Madison Rusch, Chanhassen (daughter of Kimberly and Charles Rusch) 
• Ellen Wiese, Minnetonka (daughter of Tracy and Jonathan Wiese) 

Congratulations to Minnetonka’s Class of 2013 National Achievement Semifinalists: 
• Mitchell Harris, Minnetonka (son of Joy and Tony Harris)
• Tyler Harris, Minnetonka (son of Joy and Tony Harris) 
Congratulations to Minnetonka’s Class of 2013 National AP Scholars: 
• Justin Bader, Shorewood (son of Karen and Mark Bader)
• Charles Du, Excelsior (son of Cao Huajun and Dianhai Du) 
• Adam Dutton, Shorewood (son of Elizabeth and Charles Dutton)
• Jacob Neis, Eden Prairie (son of Cathy and Tim Neis) 
• Elliot Tobin, Shorewood (son of Stefanie Hacker and Timothy Tobin)

In addition, Minnetonka's Class of 2012 has 32 National AP Scholars:
Danikajo Anderson,  Kyle  J. Anderson, Courtney  E. Bade,  Matthew J. Banker,  Jackson  A. Baril, Lorin  E. Broadbent,   Rob  L. Dryke, Elise Fester, Bradley  T. Fredrickson,   Zach  A. Goldberg, Madison  G. Hager,  Thomas G. Hargrave,  Alexandra  M. Hitt,  Nicholas  P. Jones, Alyna  Y. Katti,  Kevin D. Knapp,  Christopher  J. Kruger,  Aude  S. Lefranc,  Maria  E. Linn,  Quinn J. Mallery,  Jeremy  R. Nelson,  Peter  G. Nelson,  Sonja  K. Nelson,  Sam F. Nickolay,  Natalie  M. Quarberg,  David  G. Schneider,  Hayden  A. Sharma, Hayley  L. Sharma, Samuel Stoltenberg, Megan  K. Wagner, Daniel Wang, Margaret  L. Weiss. 

Class of 2013 National Merit Semifinalists, National Achievement Semifinalists and the National AP Scholars will be recognized by the Minnetonka School Board at the October 4 meeting. At that time, each student will also recognize two school staff members who the students feel had a significant impact on their education in Minnetonka Public Schools.  
 
Of the 1.5 million National Merit Scholarship Program entrants across the country, only 16,000 are named Semifinalists. Semifinalists will now complete an additional application process to be considered for a National Merit Scholarship. They are chosen based on their academic records, endorsements and SAT scores, as well as essays and school and community activities. Finalists will be named in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and ending in July 2013.
 
The National Achievement Scholarship Program recognizes outstanding academic performances of Black American high school students. Of the more than 160,000 students who enter the program, over 4,700 are honored. A smaller group of about 1,600 are named Semifinalists and advance in the competition for National Achievement Scholarships. Winners are selected based on their abilities, skills and accomplishments. Finalists will be named in late February 2013.
 
The AP Program offers several AP Scholar Awards to recognize high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams. National AP Scholars are students who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP exams taken and score 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. Later this month, the District will also announce National Merit Commended Students and AP Scholars.