September 26, 2023 – Collinsville High School senior Elliott Schusky is a National Merit Commended Scholar in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program.
The top 50,000 students who entered the 2024 competition by taking the Fall 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) earned Commended or Semifinalist status. The scholarship program determines semifinalists on a state-proportional system. Schusky is among 34,000 students from throughout the nation who were recognized with Commended status. His score placed him in the top 3-4% nationwide.
A letter of commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®), which conducts the program, was sent to Collinsville High School for Schusky.
“Elliott’s recognition as a National Merit Scholar continues the tradition that has been established for academic excellence at Collinsville High School,” said CHS Principal Dr. Daniel Toberman, “His hard work and dedication are an example for everyone else in our school to follow. I could not be more proud of him or more honored to be associated with his accomplishment as a member of the Kahok family.”
Collinsville High School Counseling Department Chair Karen Olsen said of Elliott: “In the classroom he is an extremely thorough and responsible student. Elliott’s academic record is an accurate measure of his intellect and great potential. Elliott has never held back in his pursuit of academic excellence, always opting to take the hardest classes CHS has to offer, from AP Latin and AP Physics, to Honors Trig/Calculus A, and so much more. While most students are content taking the normal load of classes, Elliott elected to not waste an opportunity to learn, and was the only Junior to sign up for a zero-hour course risking his GPA in the process. Elliott’s love of learning and education to me is unparalleled.”
“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
In addition to his academic accomplishments, Elliott is active in CHS Band, Latin Club, Scholar Bowl, Model U.N., Math Team and Book Club.
Elliott hopes to pursue a career with the U.S. State Department and serve in an embassy or consulate.