Five Old Rochester Regional High School Students Recognized by National Merit Scholarship Program

From left, Old Rochester Regional High School students Ella Milhench, Hannah Thorell, Jacob Iappini, Linden White and Caroline Achilles have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)

MATTAPOISETT — Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Principal Michael Devoll are proud to announce that five Old Rochester Regional High School seniors have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

The seniors — Caroline Achilles, Jacob Iappini, Ella Milhench, Hannah Thorell and Linden White — will each receive a Letter of Commendation from Principal Devoll and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

About 34,000 students nationwide are recognized as Commended Students each year for strong performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). These students placed among the top 50,000 scorers who entered the 2026 program.

“These five seniors earned this outstanding recognition through hard work and a commitment to their studies,” said Principal Devoll. “We see their efforts inside and outside of the classroom every day, and we are proud to celebrate this recognition with them.”

Director of Guidance Christina M. Costello Cioffi said the students’ achievements speak to both individual effort and a supportive school community.

“It’s inspiring to watch students earn achievements like this,” Cioffi said. “Each of these seniors have strong work ethic and put in real effort, and we are excited to see them recognized for their dedication and determination.”

Superintendent Nelson congratulated the seniors on being named Commended Students.

“Caroline, Jacob, Ella, Hannah and Linden set high standards for themselves,” Superintendent Nelson said. “Their work and the encouragement and support they receive both at home and in school make achievements like this possible. We are incredibly proud of them.”

A spokesperson for NMSC said Commended Students “have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success” and described them as a “valuable national resource” whose accomplishments help strengthen academic excellence across the country.

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