Ahead of their graduation earlier this month, two Lake Forest High School students received national recognition for the academic performance, as they were both named National Merit Scholarship winners.
Elizabeth W. Silvay and Albert Jie received the prestigious honor in the spring when they were completing their senior year.
Silvay was one of 2,500 nationwide students receiving a National Merit Scholarship, selected from a group of 15,000 finalists. The program honors students for their academic record and potential for success in college studies.
The honorees receive $2,500 scholarships, according to LFHS.
Silvay was a member of the LFHS Math Team, French Club and pursued and tennis, track and field and was selected for the 2025 Illinois Ski Team at the Western High School Championship.
Her next academic step is Dartmouth College intending to focus her studies on chemical engineering, according to a LFHS statement.
Separately, Jie was one of about 830 high school obtaining a corporate-sponsored award via the 70th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These scholarships go to students meeting specific academic and personal criteria set by the sponsor.
Jie received a corporate-sponsored National Merit Pfizer Inc. Scholarship.
At LFHS, Jie was a member of the Swim Team and Math Team. He now plans to attend Northwestern University and major in economics, according to the school.
LFHS held its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025 on June 7.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.