South High Student Named 'Outstanding Participant' in National Achievement Scholarship Program

Downers Grove South senior Christian S. Siki is among 3,100 “Outstanding Participants” in the National Achievement Scholarship Program who are being referred to U.S. colleges and universities, District 99 announced Tuesday.

Siki scored in the top 3 percent of more than 160,000 Black American high school students who had requested consideration in the 2013 National Achievement Program when they took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

“Christian is an excellent student and we are proud of him and his many accomplishments,” said South High Principal Steve Bild.

The National Achievement Scholarship Program is an academic competition established in 1964 to provide recognition for outstanding Black American high school students, according to the scholarship's website.

Black students may enter both the National Achievement Program and the National Merit Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT, and meeting other published requirements for participation. A student's standing is determined independently in each program.

Black American students can qualify for recognition and be honored as Scholars in both the National Merit Program and the National Achievement Program, but can receive only one monetary award from National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

For more information about the National Achievement Scholarship Program, visit www.nationalmerit.org/nasp.php.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

There are plenty of ways to keep up on Downers Grove news:

• Sign up for our daily email newsletter

• Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take.

From Darien or Woodridge? We've got you covered:

• Sign up for our daily email newsletter: Darien | Woodridge

• Like us on Facebook: Darien | Woodridge