National Merit Semifinalists

First row ( left to right) - Caroline Nickerson, Adam Forshey, Michael Schwartz, Edward Passen, Caroline Lieser   Second row - Bobby Bryant, Margaret Valachovic, Mark Widerschein, Rachel Riendeau, Nick DiCarlo

Ten Bishop Watterson High School seniors have been named National Merit Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for their exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Approximately 16,000 Semifinalists were announced, based upon their scores on the 2011 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). These academically talented seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $34 million that will be offered next spring.

Pictured left to right, first row:
Caroline Nickerson, daughter of James and Julie Nickerson, is a member of St. Andrew parish and a graduate of Holy Trinity School in Charlotte, N.C. Her activities include figure skating at the highest national level, Nellie's Club, National Honor Society, and service hours for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Catholic Social Services. Nickerson plans to major in physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill or The Ohio State University.

Adam Forshey, son of Neal and Rene Forshey, is a member of St. Andrew parish and a graduate of St. Andrew School. His activities include the bowling team, Latin Club and service hours for St. Andrew Latchkey. Forshey plans to major in business and physics at Vanderbilt University, Cornell University or Brown University.

Michael Schwartz, son of Rodney and Sandra Skrovan Schwartz, is a member of St. Andrew parish and a graduate of St. Andrew School. His activities include the swim team, marching band, National Honor Society, Senior Leadership Team, Blink 180 and service hours for the St. Andrew Festival and swim meets. He plans to major in architecture at the University of Cincinnati or The Ohio State University.

Edward Passen, son of Ronald and Patricia Passen, is a member of St. Andrew parish and a graduate of St. Andrew School. His activities include the cross country and lacrosse teams, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Senior Leadership Team, The Well Club, Blink 180 and numerous service hours coaching basketball at St. Andrews. Passen plans to major in chemistry at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University or The Ohio State University.

Caroline Lieser, daughter of Ron and Laura Lieser, is a member of North Broadway United Methodist Church and a graduate of Clintonville Academy. Her activities include the cross country and swim teams, National Honor Society and she was a 2011 Monsignor Spiers Service Award recipient for numerous hours for organizations such as Riverside Hospital, Special Olympics and service trips to New York and Illinois. Lieser plans to major in biomedical engineering at Miami University, Vanderbilt University or The Ohio State University.

Second row:
Barry Robert Bryant, son of Barry and Sandra Savich Bryant, is a member of St. Andrew parish and a graduate of St. Andrew School. His activities include: varsity golf team captain, varsity hockey team, The Well Club, National Honor Society, Senior Leadership Team, Blink 180, Business Honor Society, Weightlifting Club, Diocesan Youth Council, a University of Notre Dame Leadership seminar, and service hours for St. Andrews, charity golf events and OSU Medical Center Martha Morehouse Medical Plaza. Bryant plans to major in business or pre-medicine at Harvard University, the University of Notre Dame or Stanford University.

Maggie Valachovic, daughter of Steve and Lori Valachovic, is a member of St. Agatha parish and a graduate of St. Agatha School. Her activities include diving team captain, National Honor Society, choir and service hours at Riverside Hospital and Run the Race Club. Valachovic plans to major in business at Wake Forest University, the University of Notre Dame or the University of North Carolina.

Mark Widerschein, son of Neil and Patricia Widerschein, is a member of St. Brigid of Kildare parish and a graduate of St. Brigid of Kildare School. His activities include cross country team captain, track team, National Honor Society, Senior Leadership Team and he was a 2012 winner of the Congressional Award gold medal and a 2011 Monsignor Spiers Award recipient for numerous hours of service at the Columbus Zoo and Ohio Wildlife Center. Widerschein plans to major in public policy at Stanford University, Harvard University, Yale University or Georgetown University.

Rachel Riendeau, daughter of Gerry and Liz Riendeau, is a member of St. Brendan parish and a graduate of St. Brendan School. Her activities include the cross country and track teams, National Honor Society, Human Rights Club, French Club and service hours at St. Brendan. Riendeau plans to major in early childhood education at Berry College, Vanderbilt University or Miami University.

Nicky DiCarlo, son of Thomas and Melissa DiCarlo, is a member of St. Joan of Arc parish and a graduate of St. Michael School. His activities include wrestling and diving teams, Robotics Club and service hours to Special Olympics. DiCarlo plans to major in computer science at Stanford University, the University of Chicago or the California Institute of Technology