College notes

Two M-W students qualify as National Merit Scholarships finalists Monroe-Woodbury High School Principal David Bernsley has announced that Shang Wang and Yuzhuo Xu, members of the senior class, have been named as finalists in the 2011 Competition for National Merit Scholarships. Finalists are distinguished by their strong academic performance in this rigorous competition. A certificate of merit from the National Merit Scholarship Program will be presented by the principal to Shang and Yuzhuo. More than 15,000 finalists throughout the nation are being recognized for their outstanding performance and high potential for future academic accomplishment. The selection of some 8,400 Merit Scholarship winners from these finalists is now in progress and four major news media announcements of Merit Scholar designees will be made by National Merit Scholarship Corporation in April, May and July. Graduations Lauren Alberti of Monroe graduated cum laude from East Stroudsburg (Pa.) University in December. She graduated with a double major in health education and physical education. She achieved a 4.0 GPA last semester in her studies. A 2006 graduate of Monroe-Woodbury, she is working as a substitute teacher in the Monroe-Woodbury School District. She also works at the new YMCA in Monroe working with the youth and is a Zumba instructor. She will pursue her master’s degree in the fall. Dean’s list Richard Siegler III, son of Richard and Rosemary Siegler of Monroe, was named to the Honors College at William Paterson University for the 2010 fall semester with a GPA of 4.0. A freshman, Rich is European history major. Ben Centra of Highland Mills has been named to the dean’s list for the fall and winter quarters at Rochester Institute of Technology. A first-year student enrolled in the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences, Ben earned GPAs of 4.0 for both academic sessions. He is studying new media interactive development. A 2010 graduate of Monroe-Woodbury High School, he is the son of Ron and Shelli Centra of Highland Mills. The following students were named to the University at Albany’s fall 2010 dean’s list for outstanding academic achievement: William Meister of Highland Mills. Emily Goff of Monroe. Keith Lasky of Monroe. Jessica Nasca of Monroe. Tyler Stephanik of Monroe. Internships, programs, honors Katherine Ford of Highland Mills is currently studying in Aix-en Provence, France, through a program at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa. A sophomore at Susquehanna University, Ford is majoring in theatre performance. A 2009 graduate of Monroe-Woodbury High School, she is the daughter of Pamela and Bruce Ford. Ford said that her most valuable experience has been the time to completely take in her surroundings “Although I’ve travelled before studying abroad, I never actually took the time to see how different every culture is, and what is so special about each individual person,” she said in an e-mail interview.