Twenty-eight Rye High School seniors received Recognition of Excellence Awards at the Rye Board of Education meeting Tuesday, Oct. 27.
The group includes two National Merit Scholarship semifinalists and 26 National Merit Commended students, the Rye Record reported. The awards honor students who have achieved at the highest levels in academics, the arts and athletics.
Seniors Zachary Choo and Vlad Moscaliuc earned semifinalist status in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program, a distinction shared by fewer than 1% of U.S. high school seniors. Approximately 1.2 million students entered the competition by taking the PSAT in 2025. About 16,230 advanced to the semifinalist stage nationwide.
The 26 Commended students placed among the top 3% of participants. Approximately 34,000 students nationwide earned that recognition.
Rye's Commended students are Trajan Bea, Jonah Campbell Miller, Julia Carballo, Greydon Cast, Thomas Chen, Samantha Coyne, Catherine Dennis, Kayla Doherty, Amaryn Farr, Campbell Kaderabek, Morgan Kaderabek, Silas Kavanagh, Isla Keller, Griffin Lewis, William Morreale, Paloma Otero, Brian Park, Rajan Patel, Abigail Providenti, Catherine Puzzuoli, Jonathan Rotondo, Miles Silber, Emma Singer, Tayga Vural, Peter Wilmont and Rose Zicherman.
Superintendent Tricia Murray congratulated the students and recognized the support of their families and teachers, according to the Rye Record. She also recognized Rye High School Principal Andrew Hara.
As semifinalists, Choo and Moscaliuc can continue competing for approximately 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million, according to the Rye City School District. Finalists will be selected through an application process that considers academic records, school and community involvement, leadership and honors.
Last year, Rye High School had six National Merit semifinalists, and senior Grace Wang received a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship, the Rye Record reported in September.
