Bishop Connolly High School is pleased to announce that senior Anya Costello, of Fall River,
has been named a Finalist in the National Merit® Scholarship Program by “demonstrating
through distinguished performance high potential for future academic accomplishment.”

The
National Merit Scholarship Program competition offers some 7,250 National Merit Scholarships
worth nearly $28 million to students who are academically talented. Ms. Costello’s Finalist
standing advances her in the prestigious competition to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship
award and the title of Merit Scholar.

“We are extremely proud of Anya’s academic recognition by the National Merit Scholarship
Corporation,” said Bishop Connolly High School President Kathleen St. Laurent. “Her diligent
work and exceptional scholastic achievement have led to her Finalist standing, with the
opportunity to be named a National Merit Scholar. The entire Bishop Connolly community wishes
her success as she moves forward in the competition.”

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) was established in 1955 specifically to
conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC
with its own funds and by approximately 340 business organizations and higher education
institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and
encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.