By Kaitlyn Goldberg – News Editor

Jonathan Law senior Diya Daruka was recently designated a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Program.  

Out of over 5 million students nationwide who took the 2020 PSAT, Daruka was among 34,000 chosen to be a Commended Student for showing exceptional academic promise. 

“It feels great to be a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship program because I am very lucky to be awarded this award and I’m very grateful to have achieved this accomplishment,” Daruka said.  

The Law community is very proud of Daruka and her accomplishment. 

“We are so proud of Diya and all that she has accomplished,” Interim Principal Mr. Marko said. “It was nice to see all of the hard work that she has put in over the years pay off with such a prestigious award. She is such a deserving student and we can’t wait to see the great things that she is going to accomplish in the future.”

Daruka said she was motivated to win this award in many ways.

“What made me want to strive to be a National Merit Scholar was that I had heard about it from my guidance counselor and my mom and it was something I wanted to accomplish.” Daruka said. “I also wanted to have a chance to earn the money scholarship money associated with the award.” 

Overall, Daruka is grateful she was able to become a Commended Student.

“I am very thankful for all the help I got along the way from my mom, my guidance counselor Mrs. Scarpa, Mr. Marko, Mr. Hoggatt and everyone else that helped me achieve this award,” Daruka said.