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STUDENTS RECEIVE NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDATION
Don Bosco Prep is proud to announce that Aidan Bele ’20 has been named a National Merit Scholar, and Gabriel Montalvo-Zotter ’20 and Jeremy Moynihan ’20 have been named as finalists in the National Merit Scholarship competition.
The National Merit Scholarship Program tested 1.6 million entrants on the 2019 PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers are notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists. To be considered for a National Merit® Scholarship, Semifinalists must advance to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards as well as all other requirements.
All winners of Merit Scholarship awards are chosen from the Finalist group based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments, including the Finalist's academic record, information about the school's curricula and grading system, PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index score, the high school official's written recommendation, information about the student's activities and leadership, and the Finalist's own essay.
“What a great accomplishment our students have shown to the Don Bosco Prep community,” said Mr. Bob Fazio, President. “They have shown that the excellence within them has been achieved through hard work and determination. Their small steps throughout their four years have earned them this great result.”
National Merit Scholar Aidan Bele is part of Don Bosco Prep’s Engineering Pathway, and is captain and head programmer of the Varsity Robotics team, which qualified this year for the New Jersey state championship. He is Mission Club President, Spanish Honors Society President, writer/editor for Ironman Newspaper, and Gaming Club treasurer. Aidan is a member of the National Honor Society, as well as Math and English honors societies. He is a 3rd dan degree black belt in taekwondo. Aidan will be attending Northeastern University, majoring in Computer Engineering.
“Bosco gave me a platform to succeed in many ways,” said Aidan. “Several amazing teachers and faculty taught me things both inside and outside of the classroom. I was able to take challenging classes to improve myself academically, and join many clubs and activities to figure out what I wanted to do and have fun. All in all, Bosco gave me many opportunities I might not have had in other places, with a community around me which would help me excel even more.”
Gabe Montalvo-Zotter is President of Don Bosco Prep’s chapter of the National Honor
Society, and a member of the national Math and English honor societies. He completed a special Biotechnology Laboratory Skills Honors course this year with Dr. Tim Stoller. He is an active member of the Sustain 350 and Gaming Clubs, and a member of the fencing team for four years, the team’s captain for two years. He will be attending Cornell University in Ithaca, NY as a Chemistry and Chemical Biology major.
“Academically, Don Bosco Prep has encouraged me to analyze deeply at high levels,” Gabe said. “More importantly, Bosco fosters a positive environment of brotherhood and community. Being able to be a part of this wonderful community for four years has allowed me to meet some of the best friends I’ve ever had, without whom I would not be the person I am today.”
Jeremy Moynihan has been a member of the school’s tennis team, and has volunteered for all four years assisting children with special needs through two organizations, Buddy Ball and Sensory Tae-Kwon-Do. Jeremy will be attending the University of Notre Dame, and plans to double major in Classics and Economics.
“The support and guidance at Don Bosco, like that of Guidance Director Mr. Tom DeLucci, and Latin and Philosophy teacher Mr. Brian Zawiski was truly exceptional,” said Jeremy. “Their support and guidance throughout my four years was instrumental to my success at Don Bosco Prep.”
Congratulations, Aidan, Gabe and Jeremy!
Together We Are Ironmen