Jillian '07 named National Merit Scholar, AFCEA winner

She is one of 14 students -- and just two mathematics students -- from 12 DC-area high schools to share the $84,000 in scholarship money presented by AFCEA's DC Chapter, a non-profit association focused on promoting higher education in the hard sciences, mathematics, computer technology, and engineering. The winners, who were selected based on academic achievements, school activities, recommendations, work and civic activities, were honored at a luncheon featuring ADM Edmond P. Giambastiani, Jr., USN, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. on May 14.

In the National Merit Scholar program, Jillian was one of about 16,000 of the highest-scoring students on the PSAT to be named Semifinalists last fall and invited to continue in the competition. Those students completed a rigorous application process that included information on their academic records; scores from two standardized tests; details of their contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay describing interests and goals; and a recommendation from a high school official.

The elite group that earned National Merit Scholarships were the Finalists in each state and the District of Columbia judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in college. Winners are selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors.

Jillian has had a variety of leadership positions at Foxcroft, including being co-head of the Astronomy Club and the Animal Room Lab Assistants group. She took AP Calculus as a freshman, attended the Virginia Governor’s School for Mathematics after her sophomore year and was elected to the Cum Laude Society as a junior.

Last fall, Jillian was named an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction by the College Board for having earned an average of at least 3.5 on all the AP Exams she took and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of the exams. And she took six more AP exams this spring!

Two of Jillian's classmates were also honored by the NMSC: Shannon '07, a Purcellville, VA, resident who will attend Princeton University in the fall, was named a National Achievement Scholar and Cameron '07, a Fenton, MI, resident bound for the University of Michigan, earned Commended Student honors.