March 2012 – Five Holland High Seniors Named National Merit Finalists
Five Holland High seniors are among some 15,000 students nationwide who have advanced to the final rung of the National Merit Scholarship competition. They are now eligible for more than $34 million in sponsored scholarships. Last fall, these "fab five" students were announced as Semi-Finalists, and it's a rare feat that every member of the semi-finalist group goes on to achieve the Finalist designation.
Holland High's finalists are among the top 1 percent of the 1.5 million students who took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. They are:
Jakob Gibson, the son of Chris and Tami Gibson, plans to study computer science, probably at Calvin College. He’s active in Quiz Bowl.
Robert Polik, the son of William Polik and JoAnne Stewart, has been accepted at the University of Michigan and Dartmouth College, but has not yet chosen a school. He’s been active in Quiz Bowl, forensics and theater.
Nathan Redder, the son of Ed and Jill Redder, plans to study nuclear engineering at the University of Michigan through the Naval R.O.T.C. program. He’s active in Quiz Bowl, Student Council and National Honor Society.
Paul Rich, the son of the Rev. Mark Rich and the Rev. Cynthia Holder-Rich, hopes to study physics and scientific research at Yale University. He’s active in Quiz Bowl and Model United Nations.
Dominic Surya, the son of Paul Surya and Mary Johnson, plans to study economics and writing at Kalamazoo College, Oberlin College or the University of Chicago. He’s active in Quiz Bowl, the Holland High Orchestra and Holland Area Youth Orchestra, and the Community Youth Advisory Board.
