Evergreen Park Resident Among Marist Trio Named National Merit Semifinalists

Three Marist High School students have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, according to the school. 

Seniors Jim Costin, Rachel Folga, and Liam Gibbs all were given the honor, while three other Redhawks were recognized as National Merit Commended students. 

Costin, of Oak Lawn, is a football player and member of the Spanish National Honor Society (SNHS), National Honor Society (NHS), math team, and student ambassadors. He also serves a peer leader by providing academic help to students in lower grade levels.

Folga, of Oak Forest, is a peer mediator, helping students resolve issues or disputes. She is also a member of SNHS and NHS, and serves as a student ambassador.

Gibbs, of Evergreen Park, plays in the school band, and is also a member of the math team, NHS, and SNHS. He also volunteers as a tutor for local grammar school students through Marist’s youth service group.

The trio of students all carry a heavy course load of advanced placement classes and are considering highly selective colleges to attend next year. 

To achieve the designation, students must score in the highest group of PSAT test takers in their state. Less than 1 percent of all students who take the test are designated as National Merit Semifinalists. They will find out in February if they are able to  move on and compete for nearly 8,200 scholarships totaling $34 million.

Earning the distinction of National Merit Commended Students were Brenna Donegan, of Oak Lawn, Sandra Hansen, of Homer Glen and Anna Schieber, of Orland Park.