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Scheck Hillel Valedictorian Awarded College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship

Scheck Hillel Community School’s 2019 valedictorian, Raquel DiMitri, has been awarded a National Merit University of Miami Scholarship, announced by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. 
 
Officials of sponsor colleges selected scholarship winners from among the Finalists in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution. Raquel will attend University of Miami’s Foote Fellows Honors Program in the fall. As a member of this elite circle of Finalists, Raquel represented less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors.
 
“Congratulations to Raquel and her family,” said Vanessa Donaher, Head of Scheck Hillel Community School. “It is a great honor to have excelled in such a prestigious academic competition, and we can’t wait to see Raquel continue to succeed in all of her future endeavours.” 

Raquel also was recognized by the College Board as a 2018 AP Scholar with Distinction. She is a Jaime and Raquel Gilinski Hillel Ambassador at Scheck Hillel and was a 2019 Silver Knight nominee. She was president of the National Honor Society, co-editor of the High School Literary Magazine and a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. She also played the trumpet in Scheck Hillel’s band and competed on the school's varsity volleyball and varsity tennis teams. Raquel volunteers with Achieve Miami, among other organizations.
 
Scheck Hillel is honored to have a significant roster of students and alumni who have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Most recently, two rising seniors qualified to enter the 2020 Program. From about 1.6 million students, Gabrielle Kurzer and Alex Wagenberg, both '20, are among the nation’s highest-scoring participants. Nathalie Fuhrman, Scheck Hillel’s Class of 2018 valedictorian, received the National Merit Northwestern University Scholarship. Her peers - Keith Bonwitt, Roy Glazer and Max Peicher - were named 2018 National Merit Commended Students. Keith will attend the University of Pennsylvania this fall after a gap year with the Israel Experience at Bar Ilan University, Roy will attend the University of Maryland after a gap year at Tel Aviv University, and Max attends Tufts University. Jordana Zackon, Class of 2017 valedictorian, was also named a National Merit Commended Student and currently attends Washington University in St. Louis. Scheck Hillel's 2016 salutatorian, Ariel Gelrud, was a National Merit Scholar and attends the University of Pennsylvania.
 
This year, 173 higher education institutions are underwriting Merit Scholarship awards through the National Merit Scholarship Program. College-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners are part of the distinguished group of about 7,600 high school seniors who will receive National Merit Scholarships for a college undergraduate study worth over $31 million.

About Scheck Hillel Community School
Scheck Hillel Community School educates and inspires students 18 months-Grade 12 to become exemplary global citizens with enduring Jewish identity and values through an individualized college preparatory curriculum highlighted by Design/STEM, Capstone, college dual enrollment, arts, athletics and community service. Its 14-acres include a 115,000-sq.-ft athletic complex with academic expansion plans. Set within a nurturing, diverse community, Scheck Hillel is one of the world's largest Jewish community day schools and a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. For more information about Scheck Hillel Community School or to arrange a visit to the school, please contact our Admissions office at 305.931.2831x173 or write to admissions@eHillel.org.

About National Merit Scholarship Corporation
National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a not-for-profit corporation that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 to conduct the National Merit Scholarship Program. The majority of National Merit Scholarships provided each year are made possible by the support of approximately 400 independent corporate and college sponsors. These sponsors join NMSC in its efforts to enhance educational opportunities for America’s scholastically talented youth and to encourage the pursuit of academic excellence.
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