Two Kingswood Oxford students have been selected as National Merit Semifinalists this year.

Carolyn McCusker of West Hartford (right) and Alec Rossi of Kensington, seniors at Kingswood Oxford School, have been named National Merit Scholar Semifinalists. Submitted photo

Submitted by Jackie Pisani, Kingswood Oxford School

Two Kingswood Oxford students, Carolyn McCusker ‘17 of West Hartford and Alec Rossi ‘17 of Kensington, have been selected as Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Competition based on their scores on the PSAT/NMSQT. About 16,000 students nationwide are selected as semifinalists.

This means they are among the top 1 percent of the 1.5 million juniors who took the PSAT/NMSQT exam last year. They will now compete for designation as National Merit Finalists and for Merit Scholarships to be awarded next spring.

Natalie Demers, Associate Head of School said, “We are so proud of these students, not only for their academic accomplishments and earning this distinction, but on their involvement in many ways in school and community life. They demonstrate commitment to excellence in whatever they tackle and do so with such enthusiasm!”

Alec is involved in Robotics and fills key leadership roles on campus. He is a prefect in an advisee group, Managing Editor for News, Sports, and Investigative Journalism for the KO News, serves as a writing coach for the KO News, President of the Investment Club, Model UN co-chair, and a Shield and Dragon student ambassador who tours prospective families on campus. Alec co-chairs the Warren Baird Blood Drive. Later this year he will be heading up the students tutoring when the Math and Writing Centers open. Rossi said, “This achievement is a testament to a wide range of opportunities that I have been allowed to explore at KO.”

Carolyn holds the leadership position of prefect. She is the Investigative Journalism Editor for the KO News, won the Sophomore Speakers Forum, serves on United Students, the diversity advocacy group, performs with the KO musical group, Outlook and has appeared in several KO theater productions. She also volunteers with the Noah Webster House.

National Merit Semifinalists Announced at Kingswood Oxford

West Hartford, Sept. 15 Two Kingswood Oxford students, Carolyn McCusker ‘17 of West Hartford and Alec Rossi ‘17 of Kensington, have been selected as Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Competition based on their scores on the PSAT/NMSQT. About 16,000 students nationwide are selected as semifinalists.

This means they are among the top 1% of the 1.5 million juniors who took the PSAT/NMSQT exam last year. They will now compete for designation as National Merit Finalists and for Merit Scholarships to be awarded next spring.

Natalie Demers, Associate Head of School said, “We are so proud of these students, not only for their academic accomplishments and earning this distinction, but on their involvement in many ways in school and community life. They demonstrate commitment to excellence in whatever they tackle and do so with such enthusiasm!”

Alec is involved in Robotics and fills key leadership roles on campus. He is a prefect in an advisee group, Managing Editor for News, Sports, and Investigative Journalism for the KO News, serves as a writing coach for the KO News, President of the Investment Club, Model UN co-chair, and a Shield and Dragon student ambassador who tours prospective families on campus. Alec co-chairs the Warren Baird Blood Drive. Later this year he will be heading up the students tutoring when the Math and Writing Centers open. Rossi said, “This achievement is a testament to a wide range of opportunities that I have been allowed to explore at KO.”

Carolyn holds the leadership position of prefect. She is the Investigative Journalism Editor for the KO News, won the Sophomore Speakers Forum, serves on United Students, the diversity advocacy group, performs with the KO musical group, Outlook and has appeared in several KO theater productions. She also volunteers with the Noah Webster House.

The preeminent independent co-ed, college preparatory day school in Greater Hartford, Kingswood Oxford School is located just steps from Blue Back Square and West Hartford Center. Its 508 students come from 62 towns in CT and western MA as well as China and South Korea.