Saratoga News


Sarah Jones	Amy Sheng	Cynthia Shih

SARATOGA STUDENTS WIN MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

Three Saratoga High School students, Sarah M. Jones, Amy P. Sheng and Cynthia Y. Shih, have been announced as winners of National Merit $2,000 college scholarships. They were chosen from some 14,000 outstanding high school seniors who advanced to the finalist level in the 1996 Merit program.

Jones, who plans to study medicine, is editor-in-chief of the school newspaper. She has also been opinion editor and sports editor. She has worked with Amigos De Las Americas as a field volunteer and assistant training director and with Positive Peer Power. She has been an Associated Student Body Commissioner and a class representative, each for two years. She is a winner of the California Scholarship Federation foreign language award and the "Good Citizen" award presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is the daughter of Ms. Barbara Morrissey.

Sheng, who will study electrical engineering, has been a debate team captain for four years, a newspaper editor and academic mentor. She a member of the Girl Scouts, winner of Scouting gold and silver awards and a county board director. She is a varsity cheerleader and has participated in track and junior varsity swimming. She is an Associated Student Body commissioner. Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. Steve Sheng.

Shih, who plays to study medicine, is class salutatorian, president and accompanist for the concert choir and a singer in the jazz choir. She is a pianist and composer. She has participated in mock trials and is a member of the National Honor Society, vice president of the Homeless Club and a tutor. She has won speech "student of the year" awards for three years and is a state qualifier on the speech and debate team. She is secretary of the math club and writes poetry. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mien Shih.

To enter the competition, about 1.1 million students in some 19,000 U. S. high schools took the PSAT test, which served as an initial screen. Last fall, top scorers in 50 states were announced as semifinalists.

Only 2,000 National Merit Scholarships were awarded.

Finalists were chosen by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors. Considered were each finalist's academic record, scores from two tests, demonstrated leadership and contributions to school and community, personal goals, and the high school principal's recommendation.