DOWNEY - Downey High School senior Eric Choi has been named a "commended student" in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program, principal Tom Houts announced this week.Choi will be presented with a letter of commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program. About 34,000 commended students throughout the nation are being recognized for their "exceptional academic promise." Although they will not continue in the 2011 competition for National Merit Scholarships, commended students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2011 competition by taking the 2009 PSAT and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. "Recognition of high-achieving students is essential to advancing educational excellence in our nation," said a spokesman for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. "As demonstrated by their outstanding performance in our highly competitive program, the young men and women named Commended Students represent some of the most academically talented students in our country. We sincerely hope this recognition will enhance their educational opportunities and encourage them in their pursuit of academic success."

********** Published: October 06, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 25