National Merit Program recognizes Delatte, Gommel

St. Charles Catholic High School is proud to announce that Gabe Delatte was chosen as a national merit semi-finalist out of the million students who took the PSAT/ NMSQT (National Merit Program test) in October of 2007.  He will now advance to the semi-finals.  When asked about his award, Delatte replied, “I am honored, and it is a privilege to be named as a semi-finalist.”

He is among the highest scorers, an elite group of students, representing less than one percent of the nation’s graduating seniors.  There are 16,000 semifinalists who are named on a state representation basis.  Delatte is one of the 52 students earning semi-finalist stature in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Delatte is the only semi-finalist in the River Parishes area.  He will now advance in the vigorous competition for National Merit Finalist.  The requirements to advance include having a record of very high academic performance in college preparatory courses, submitting SAT scores, and being fully endorsed and recommended by St. Charles Catholic principal, Andrew Cupit. 

In addition to being named as a National Merit semi-finalist, he is also a member of the 30+ ACT Club.  This club honors students who have made a 30 or better on the ACT test.  Mrs. Bologna said, “It is an honor to work with a student like Gabe.  He humbly appreciates his gift of intelligence.  Gabe truly has every intention of using these gifts, hopefully at Notre Dame. Delatte exemplifies what it means to be a Comet, flying high and shining bright."

Another outstanding award winner who was chosen was Karl Gommel.  He was a National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) winner. “I am extremely excited, and I am happy that there is a way for Hispanics to get scholarships,” Gommel said.

The NHRP was initiated in 1983 to identify outstanding Hispanic/Latino high school students.  This year the NHRP recognized nearly 5,000 students selected from a pool of more than 200,000 students who took the PSAT and identified themselves as Hispanic (at least ¼ Hispanic/ Latino).

These students have achieved a minimal PSAT score for their region.  Hispanics who have a 3.5 or higher and scholars with a 3.0 to a 3.49 can be recognized for this award. 

These awards will put SCC on the map.  “It is quite a distinction, and SCC is very proud of both Karl and Gabe,” Cupit said.

By: Devin Snyder and Alex Marse