Beachwood’s senior class has 11 National Merit semifinalists this year and 13 commended.

With a graduating class of just 133 students, nearly one in five seniors earned recognition in the prestigious program, placing them among the top scorers of PSAT test takers.

Principal Paul Chase said the achievement speaks volumes about the school’s culture. 

“We have 11 National Merit semifinalists, and another 13 students who are commended,” Chase said. “That means 24 of our seniors scored in the top one to four percent on the PSAT.” 

“For a class of 133 students, that’s an incredible percentage, possibly the highest in the state,” he added.

Chase noted that while some larger schools in Ohio had higher numbers overall, Beachwood’s proportion of recognized students sets it apart. 

“There are only a handful of schools in Ohio with more semifinalists than us, and they’re much bigger schools,” he said. “For Beachwood to be right up there with schools three to five times our size is unbelievable.” 

For students, the recognition represents years of effort and focus. 

Senior Karina Krishnan said she saw the PSAT as both a challenge and an opportunity. 

“I was motivated to prepare for the PSAT because it serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship, and I knew that earning recognition could open doors to valuable scholarship opportunities,” she said. “Some of the schools I’m applying to offer extra merit-based aid to National Merit Finalists, so I saw it as a meaningful investment in my future.”

Unlike some classmates, Krishnan didn’t spend months studying specifically for the PSAT. 

“Most of my preparation came from studying the ACT, which translated well to the PSAT since the skills and concepts overlap,” Krishnan said. “I think being efficient with your time is more valuable than spending countless hours studying. When you do study, it’s important to make sure that time is focused and productive.” 

Chase said that this year’s results highlight both the strength of Beachwood’s academic culture and the dedication of its teachers and families.

“Every student here is blessed with amazing teachers and an amazing staff,” Chase said. “We also have a very supportive community. In many cases, parents have worked hard alongside their children to reach this level of success.”

He added that Beachwood’s semifinalists stand out not only for their academic ability but for their character. 

“These students are hardworking, perseverant, and kind,” Chase said. “They’re well-rounded individuals who truly represent what Beachwood stands for.”

Chase emphasized that the school strives to recognize academic excellence with the same enthusiasm shown for athletic or extracurricular achievements. 

“We make sure to celebrate success in every area: sports, arts, clubs, and academics,” he said. “It’s about striking a balance and making sure every student feels valued for their individual talents and accomplishments.”

One of the students recognized this year, Aliaksei Sharakou, said he was surprised to earn a National Merit distinction. 

“I wanted to get a good score, and I did not expect to get National Merit recognition as I thought I did alright, but not the best,” Sharakou said. “It felt great, as I never thought I could have done it.”

For Sharakou, the math section was the biggest challenge. 

“The math area challenged me the most, and I overcame it via repetition and grinding out work daily,” he said. “My teachers and family helped massively, as my teachers explained topics I didn’t understand and my parents supported me throughout.”

Sharakou described a steady, focused approach to preparing for the test. 

“I set aside a little time every day for the PSAT, resulting in me spending a little less time doing things that weren’t schoolwork,” he said. “Online guides and previously published tests were a massive help.”

Chase said he hopes this achievement inspires younger students to aim high and take advantage of the opportunities Beachwood offers. “My message is to work hard, persevere,” Chase said. “Beachwood gives you a lot of opportunities to work with staff.”

National Merit Honorees Attribute Success To Immigrant Backgrounds

A large percentage of BHS National Merit semifinalists and commended scholars come from immigrant families. 

The students interviewed feel that their immigrant identities played a role in their success, primarily due to the importance of education in their families. 

 “My parents have always said that education is important,” Senior Lyndia Zheng said. “My parents are Chinese immigrants, I’m Chinese American, [and that’s a] value that has always been ingrained in our community.”

There is a strong cultural belief in what education can lead to. 

“In China, [people believe that] if you work hard, you can experience socioeconomic mobility, and I think that’s the kind of mentality that [my parents] want to instill. Being their daughter, it’s my responsibility to work hard and match their sacrifices for me,” Zheng said. 

Senior Shamith Murthy shares a similar experience. 

“[My parents] came from India, which highly values education,” Murthy said. “I’ve been expected to get good grades my whole life.”

The emphasis on education is motivating, but can also come with pressure.

 “I think I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform well at school,” Zheng said. “Of course, there’s pressure from my parents, but I see it as motivation because I agree with their idea of the important role of education because I know that getting into a specific college can help me gain more opportunities and resources [in the future].”

Murthy doesn’t feel pressured by his parents, but he feels the weight of cultural expectations. 

“My parents don’t put that much pressure on me, it’s just a cultural thing,” Murthy said. “[But] I’ve spent my whole life with them and I think [the importance of education is] a value of theirs I’ve inherited.”