The class of 2017 has a remarkable number of National Merit Semifinalists this year, scoring in  the top 1% nationwide of juniors who took the PSAT last year.

Seven BHS students achieved this distinction: Eve Barnett, Chandler Kitson, Kalina Pateva, Julia Warner, Shitong Wu, Jennifer Yen and Yuke Zheng.

“Beachwood is thrilled;  I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the students and their families on this outstanding accomplishment,” wrote Linda LoGalbo, Beachwood’s Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Human Resources.

This group of approximately 16,000 semifinalists nationwide will be narrowed to 15,000 finalists who compete for 7,500 scholarships worth $33 million.

“You see the upperclassmen that make it and you think ‘Wow, all these people are super-smart,’ and you look up to them and admire their work ethic and drive to succeed; so when I was recognized I thought ‘Wow, I’m part of this group,’” senior qualifier Kalina Pateva said.

As a junior, Pateva focused mostly on her six AP classes, and says she is now trying to focus more on classes that allow her to be creative.

Pateva encourages younger students to develop strong study habits.

“I think one of the most challenging transitions to high school for me was learning how to study, because middle school doesn’t really prepare you for the rigor of high school,” she said. “Just find a study method that works for you, and challenge yourself to take the advanced courses.”

Senior Yuke Zheng is also thrilled to be a semifinalist.

“I’m thankful for my parents, teachers and friends for always pushing me to strive for improvement and for building up my love for learning,” he said.

Zheng studied for the PSAT during the summer before his junior year. He says being captain of the Science Olympiad team, head of design for the first robotics team and his experience conducting biomedical research at Case Western University have all helped him to become a stronger leader and thinker. He strives to impact others through the work he does.

LoGalbo encourages students to enroll in rigorous classes

“Students at BHS have great opportunities to challenge and extend themselves in new and exciting courses and programs,” she wrote.

This year’s group of qualifiers shows a marked increase from previous years. In 2015, Beachwood produced only one semifinalist; the following year only two. Seven is a particularly remarkable number given the size of Beachwood’s student body. The class of 2017 has only about 140 students, so approximately 5% of  the class is in the top 1% nationwide.

Zheng encourages underclassmen to find what they love.

“Once you find your passion, completely involve yourself in it,” he said. “Learn all you can about it, put hard work into it, give service to others through it, become a leader in it, and fall in love with it. Success is one part passion, one part work ethic.”