Hudson County Students Among Elite in National Merit Scholarship Program

Two students from St. Peter’s Preparatory High School in Jersey City, Gavin R. Gerstenbluth and Jean Oh, were recently recognized as semifinalists in the prestigious 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The program, which awards nearly $26 million in scholarships to top academic achievers across the United States, selected only 16,000 high school juniors—less than 1% of over 1.3 million students who entered the competition. Gerstenbluth and Oh’s recognition places them among the academic elite in Hudson County, showcasing the area’s educational strength and commitment to academic excellence.

Barbara Dolan, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Newark, highlighted the students’ achievement as a testament to their hard work, leadership, and commitment to academic pursuits. “The students’ commitment to their academic pursuits, as well as their leadership and community involvement, reflect the spirit of excellence and service Catholic schools strive to nurture in our students,” Dolan said.

To continue in the scholarship competition, the semifinalists must uphold their academic records, receive endorsements from their schools, and submit essays and SAT or ACT scores. Approximately 95% of semifinalists typically advance to the final stage, with about half ultimately being named Merit Scholars.