Congratulations to Montclair Kimberley Academy senior and South Orange resident, Michelle Medawar who has been selected as a winner of the National Merit Estee and Joseph Lauder Scholarship.

From approximately 1.6 million students who entered the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program, Michelle became a Finalist by fulfilling several requirements that included submitting a detailed scholarship application and presenting a record of very high academic performance.

In receiving this award, Michelle is recognized among the nation's most academically talented students.

Head of Upper School Dr. David Flocco describes Michelle as, “Ravenous in her pursuit of her academic passions, seeking opportunities for challenging and intellectual discourse, enthusiastic when it comes to connecting the dots across disciplines, and genuinely curious about the world around her. She is a four-year member of MKA’s Executive Committee, Captain of the Debate Team, President of MKA's Jewish Cultural Society, Captain of the Varsity Field Hockey team, Leader of MKA’s peer-tutoring program MKA Lab, and the first female to join and pave the way for other female athletes on MKA’s Varsity Hockey team.

This fall Michelle will join the community of dedicated, intellectually curious, and globally-minded scholars at Yale University. Yet unsure about where her interests in history, politics, and research will take her, this quintessential liberal arts student is sure to develop a better sense of just where and how she will effect positive change in the world. 

For her work inside and outside the classroom, for the unbridled passion with which she pursues her interests, for modeling what it means to be a scholar, a teammate, a leader, and a citizen, Michelle Medawar is deserving of National Merit recognition.”