Jayden Donaher, a Shawsheen Valley Technical High School graduate, was named a Commend Student in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. Commend Students are acknowledged for having among the highest Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) scores in the country.
Jayden was honored with a letter of appreciation for his great academic promise from Principal Jessica Cook and his guidance counselor, Amanda Samaha, on behalf of the National Merit Scholarship Program as a student receiving this award. Jayden is one of just 34,000 Commended Students in the country, and the only one from Shawsheen.
“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” said a spokesperson for NMSC. ”These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
Cook said, “This is a big deal for both Jayden and for Shawsheen. Since I started at this school, I have not known another student to receive this honor.” Cook and Superintendent Tony McIntosh both congratulated Jayden, a 2023 graduate of Shawsheen’s Information Support Services & Networking program, and shared his success with the school community.
Jayden was the Class of 2023 salutatorian, and will attend UMass Lowell for computer engineering this fall.