The College Board recently recognized 14 students from Columbus Academy for their academic prowess.
Quinn Hulme, Emmett Leo, Charlotte Rose, Christopher Shen, Charles Stoner, Jaswanth Vandrasi, Raaghuv Vazirani and Vernon Wright have been named Commended Students in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program while Aniah Crockett, Imani Munene, Kennedy Jackson, Lucas Jones, Naimah Edwards and Maya Walter received academic honors in the College Board National Recognition Programs.
The eight Commended seniors – Quinn, Emmett, Charlotte, Christopher, Charles, Jaswanth, Raaghuv and Vernon – joined our previously announced 19 National Merit Semifinalists in placing among the top 50,000 students nationally who took the 2020 PSAT exam and are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.
Based on their remarkable academic achievements and outstanding performances on the PSAT and/or AP exams, juniors Imani (not pictured) and Lucas and seniors Aniah, Kennedy and Naimah have been designated as College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholars while fellow senior Maya has been named a College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar.
“We are so proud of these outstanding students who share their varied talents in such tangible ways at our school and in their communities,” stated Head of School Melissa Soderberg. Learn more about all 14 of these academically talented students below.
National Merit Commended
Quinn Hulme, son of Daryl and Geoff Hulme of Blacklick
- Favorite classes: Honors Computer Science, Statistics, Multivariable Calculus, AP Spanish, AP Literature and AP Government
- Activities and interests: super interested in technology and loves reading and writing for pleasure
- Possible fields of study in college: computer science
Emmett Leo, son of Arthur Leo and Susan Brookhart of Gahanna
- Favorite classes: English and Band
- Activities and interests: playing the euphonium, Academy Park clean-ups
- Possible fields of study in college: considering environmental studies but undecided
Charlotte Rose, daughter of Amy and Jeffrey Rose of Westerville
- Favorite classes: Biology, Chemistry and Moral Philosophy
- Activities and interests: field hockey, lacrosse, government and politics club, Service Board, volunteering with the Red Cross, skiing and hiking
- Possible fields of study in college: biochemistry and cellular biology
Christopher Shen, son of Jeff Shen and Dana Wu of Columbus
- Favorite classes: Statistics and Multivariable Calculus, Economics, CSBGL-SPARC
- Activities and interests: chess, fencing, community service, reading, writing, music
- Possible fields of study in college: economics, law, English/creative writing
Charles Stoner, son of Ashley and Sean Stoner of New Albany
- Favorite classes: HCB Stats and Probability, Honors English: Toni Morrison, Portfolio 2D Studio Art
- Activities and interests: lacrosse (club and school), 2D art (painting/drawing) and CA Art Society, public service, Student-Alumni Board and Student Council
- Possible fields of study in college: entrepreneurship, business administration, economics/finance
Jaswanth Vandrasi, son of Anand and Neelima Vandrasi of Dublin
- Favorite classes: Modern World History, Advanced Spanish 3, Advanced Biology and Economics
- Activities and interests: Congressional Debate, varsity tennis, photography
- Possible fields of study in college: political science/government or pre-med
Raaghuv Vazirani, son of Anu and Umesh Vazirani of Powell
- Favorite classes: Computer Science, Ceramics, Honors English (Sci-Fi) and Statistics
- Activities and interests: leading JSA (Junior State of America) club, watching movies, making pottery, being on stage (cast in over 10 theatre shows) and skateboarding
- Possible fields of study in college: computer science, engineering or law/political science
Vernon Wright, son of Dudley Wright of Johnstown and Bronwyn Wright of Bexley
- Favorite classes: Honors Computer Science 1-3, Band, Music Theory
- Activities and interests: rock climbing, playing viola and baritone saxophone
- Possible fields of study in college: electrical or computer engineering
College Board National Recognition Program Scholars
Aniah Crockett, daughter of Elizabeth Crockett of Pickerington and Phillip Crockett of Canal Winchester
- Favorite classes: English and Physics
- Activities and interests: co-leading BOS (Black Organization of Students) and playing volleyball
- Possible fields of study in college: anything, currently undecided
Naimah Edwards, daughter of Oronde Edwards of Blacklick
- Favorite classes: Psychology, Spanish
- Activities and interests: reading, writing, volleyball (co-captain), Black Organization of Students (co-president), Service Board, Camerata
- Possible fields of study in college: neuroscience, pre-law
Kennedy Jackson, daughter of Nicola and Marcus Jackson of Pickerington
- Favorite classes: Robotics and Spanish
- Activities and interests: soccer, basketball, track, Service Board, Global Leadership Council and secretary of BOS (Black Organization of Students)
- Possible fields of study in college: computer science and mathematics
Lucas Jones, son of Erika and Ramon Jones of New Albany
- Favorite classes: Spanish and 2D Studio Art
- Activities and interests: drawing and hanging out with friends
- Possible fields of study in college: civil engineering or architecture
Imani Munene, daughter of Grace Muriithi and Keith Little of Westerville
- Favorite classes: Advanced Precalculus and Honors Music Theory
- Activities and interests: Science Olympiad, Model UN, playing the bassoon, piano and tenor saxophone
- Possible fields of study in college: neuroscience
Maya Walter, daughter of Claudia and Blane Walter ’89 of New Albany
- Favorite classes: Computer Science and Math (multivariable calculus)
- Activities and interests: field hockey, yearbook staff, art society and leader of CASA (affinity group for Hispanic and Latinx students); interests include baking, reading and art
- Possible fields of study in college: computer science or neuroscience
With this announcement of eight Commended Students and four seniors being designated as National Recognition Program Scholars, the College Board has bestowed academic honors to 31 members of our Class of 2022, which constitutes 27.7 percent of this year’s seniors.