Providence Catholic Honors National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Scholars

Providence Catholic High School lauded academic excellence in a presentation.

Don Sebestyen, Principal of Providence Catholic High School, is pleased to announce that six members of the Class of 2012 have earned the distinction of being National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Scholars.  The National Merit Semifinalists include seniors Alyson Duzansky of Mokena, Grace Morrison of Mokena and Mary Strickler of Tinley Park.  The Commended students include seniors Gabriella Berman of Joliet, Brian Daniher of Mokena and Madison Wall of Lemont.  “We are very proud of these students who have demonstrated exceptional ability in this highly competitive program.  Their commitment to academic excellence is truly admirable,” said Sebestyen.

Semifinalist Alyson Duzansky, daughter of John and Lisa Duzansky of Mokena is a graduate of St. Mary School (Mokena) and a member of their parish.  The honor roll student is currently undecided on where she will attend college, but plans to major in Chemical Engineering.  Duzansky is a member of the Student Council, National Honor Society, Augustinian Youth Ministry (AYM) and a Student Ambassador.  Furthermore, she was named an AP Scholar with Distinction and received academic awards for Algebra 2 Honors, Pre-Calculus Honors, and Physics Honors.  In addition, she received the Illinois Association of Chemistry Teachers Award.

Semifinalist Grace Morrison, daughter of Tom and Annette Morrison of Mokena, is a graduate of St. Mary School (Mokena) and a member of their parish.  The honor roll student is currently undecided on where she will attend college, but plans to major in Elementary Education.  Morrison is an officer of the National Honor Society, a member of the Augustinian Youth Ministry (AYM), Habitat for Humanity, Respect Life Club and a Student Ambassador.  During her sophomore and junior years, she was a staff writer for the Proviscope school newspaper, a member of Celtic Nation and the International Club.   Furthermore, Morrison is a Sacristan.  She was nominated “Student of the Month” for Social Science and Theology and received academic awards for Geometry, Western Civilization and Economics.

Semifinalist Mary Strickler, daughter of Nick Strickler and Joana Barton of Tinley Park, is a graduate of Grissom Middle School.  The honor roll student received a Merit Scholarship to attend Roosevelt University where she plans to major in Actuarial Science.  Strickler is a member of the National Honor Society, Habitat for Humanity, Scholastic Bowl and Math Team. Furthermore, she was named an AP Scholar with Honor and received academic awards for German 1 and German 2.

Commended Scholar Gabriella Berman, daughter of Ted and Norma Berman of Shorewood, is a graduate of St. Jude School (Joliet) and a member of their parish.  The honor roll student is currently undecided on her major and the college that she will attend.  Berman is a member of the National Honor Society, National French Honor Society and International Thespian Society.  Furthermore, she is a member of the Augustinian Youth Ministry (AYM), Habitat for Humanity, International Club, Theatre Club, Law Club, Respect Life Club and a Staff Writer for the Proviscope school newspaper.  Berman was named an AP Scholar with Honor and was nominated for “Student of the Month” five times.  She received academic awards for Biology Honors, English 1 Honors, French 1, Introduction to Catholicism, Chemistry Honors, AP US History, Old Testament, French 2, Church History, AP English 3, AP Statistics, AP European History and French 3 Honors.  In addition, she received a Certificate of Success and two Certificates of Honor from the National French Contest.

Commended Scholar Brian Daniher, son of Pat and Tara Daniher of Mokena, is a graduate of St. Mary School (Mokena) and a member of their parish.  The honor roll student is currently undecided on his major and the college that he will attend.  Daniher is a member of the National Honor Society, Augustinian Youth Ministry (AYM), Habitat for Humanity, International Club, International Thespian Society, Spanish Conversation Group, Law Club, Philosophy Club and Theatre Club.  In addition, he is an AP Scholar.      

Commended Scholar Madison Wall, daughter of Timothy and Rae Lyn Wall of Lemont is a graduate of St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School and a parishioner at St. Alphonsus.  The honor roll student is currently undecided on where she will attend college, but plans to major in Biochemistry.  Wall is a member of the National Honor Society, Habitat for Humanity and Yearbook Club.  Furthermore, she is a Student Ambassador and a Eucharistic Minister.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships that began in 1955.  Currently, more than 1.5 million students in about 22,000 high schools enter the National Merit Scholarship Program each year. Commended students are in the 96th percentile of college-bound juniors who took the test. Semi-Finalist students represent less than 1% of the nation's high school graduating seniors.