Whittier High School senior Julia Casas has been recognized as a National Merit Commended Scholar, as well as the National Hispanic Recognition Program for scoring in the top 2.5% of Hispanics who took the PSAT.
Of the 1.6 million students who took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) for a chance to earn the prestigious recognition and $2,500 scholarship, 6,000 were selected as semifinalists and 34,000 top scorers received a commendation.
Casas, who is in the top 1% of her class, earned a 1430 on her PSAT and plans to major in biomedical engineering.
She has earned the Puente Statewide Academic and Leadership Award and is an AP Scholar with Distinction student.
“Being a good leader is not about shaping a team of winners, but rather a team of hard-working, confident women who do not quit,” said Casas, who is captain of the varsity tennis team. “My goal at the end of every match is to help all my teammates improve and grow as players and as people. I hope to continue to inspire and help more of my community in the future.”