Several Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) seniors have been recognized by the National Merit Scholar Corporation and the College Board for high achievements on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) and Advanced Placement (AP) tests.
At the EPHS National Scholar Recognition Breakfast on Nov. 12, Superintendent Josh Swanson and EPHS Principal Robb Virgin presented the students with their honors.
EPHS gifted/talented coordinator Steven Rollin served as the event’s host. “What amazing accomplishments by our scholars academically and in their community,” he said. “We are so proud of them, and we look forward to their success in life ahead!”
During the ceremony attended by students, parents and guardians, staff and teachers, the award-winning students thanked and honored several teachers for their positive impacts and influence.
EPHS social studies teacher Brian Sibley, recognized as one of this year’s influential educators, gave a speech encouraging students to try new things in college to find their passions and optimize their diversity of talents.
“I want you to find your passion,” Sibley told the students. “When you get to that next stage of education, more opportunities are going to happen … as you start to get your career focus, find something that you love.
“And lastly, outside of your profession, outside of education, please engage in our country,” Sibley continued. “What amazes me about you all is that you have jobs, you get great grades, but you also volunteer and do things to make our country, our community better. Please don’t stop. We need that. … Keep doing what you’re doing.”
National Merit semifinalists represent the top 0.5% of senior students in each state who took the PSAT/NMSQT as 11th graders. National Merit semifinalists may apply to advance in the scholarship competition. They must demonstrate consistent high academic excellence and provide a letter of recommendation from their school principal. Finalists are then considered to win one of 50,000 National Merit Scholarships totaling $34 million.
EPHS National Merit semifinalists are: Samuel H. Aaberg, Iesh Gujral, Sai Guntabonu, Shubhangi Mohan, Haley A. Parker, Nathan Parmley, Sreya Patri, Sriyan C. Reddy, Samir Sarma, Amoligha G. Timma, and Fergus Xu.
National Merit Commended Students represent the top 5% of all juniors who took the PSAT/NMSQT. About 34,000 participants in the National Merit Scholarship Program are designated Commended Students.
EPHS Winners are: Sarthak K. Agrawal, Gavin N. Armstrong, Cole A. Branvold, Arie D. Cohen, Aston J. Diermeier, Jacob D. Dorson, Keira Gerst, Hailey R Heimkes, Sawyer A. Hoffman, Max P. Johnson, Aditya S. Kulkarni, Jack C. Maring, Anna Frances K. Maristela, Tyler A. Martin, Benjamin J. Pankratz, Rohit R. Patil, Gabrielle M. Peta, Matthew E. Pihowich, Keerthana Ramanathan, Sophia M. Salamekh, Yash S. Salunke, Kedran J. St. George, August J. Stukenborg, Aaron C. Tang, Eve I. Tippets, Priya Wolf, and Danny Xu.
Advanced Placement Scholars with Distinction is an honor given by the College Board to U.S. students receiving an average grade of 3.5 or higher on all AP exams they have taken, and a grade of 3 or higher on five or more AP exams.
EPHS currently offers 21 AP courses, with recent additions including psychology, environmental science, studio art, human geography and world history. Over 1,200 EPHS students took at least one AP course in 2020-21, and the number of students taking at least one AP exam is at the highest level ever.
EPHS winners are: Samuel H. Aaberg, Sarthak K. Agrawal, Gavin N. Armstrong, Arie D. Cohen, Tife M. Fasoranti, Iesh Gujral, Sai B. Guntabonu, Isaac M. Isiko, Ria G. Jadhav, Paawan Kathuria, Evan M. Krainess, Aditya S. Kulkarni, Maneeya T. Leung, Josephine K. Lillquist, Anna Frances K. Maristela, Shubhangi Mohan, William J. Morris, Rishi Natraj, Benjamin J. Pankratz, Rachel A. Park, Haley A. Parker, Rohit R. Patil, Sreya Patri, Sameen A. Rahman, Keerthana Ramanathan, Sriyan C. Reddy, Jose-Antonio Salgado-Chami, Yash S. Salunke, Nathan R. Santos, Samir Sarma, Kedran J. St. George, Aaron C. Tang, Amoligha G. Timma, Fergus Xu, and David E. Yue.
EPHS senior Keerthana Ramanathan, AP Scholar with Distinction and National Merit Commended Student, greets Steven Rollin, EPHS gifted/talented coordinator. 
(From left) Eden Prairie Schools’ Superintendent Josh Swanson, EPHS senior Yash Salunke, EPHS Principal Robb Virgin after Salunke was recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction and a National Merit Commended Student.
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