3 Bensalem Seniors Named 'Commended Students'

Three Bensalem High School students placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million students who competed for a National Merit Scholarship.

Seniors Dev R. Amin, Sumit Pareek and Parth P. Patel have been named “Commended Students” in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program, according to a press release issued by Bensalem Township School District.  

Principal Stephen Brandt presented to the students a letter of commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. 

Although they will not continue in the 2014 competition for Merit Scholarship awards, “Commended Students” placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2014 competition by taking the 2012 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, according to the release. 

Dev has been a principal’s list honor roll student throughout high school. He is an AP Scholar and earned first place awards at both the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science regional and state competition and the Future Business Leaders of America regional competition. 

He serves as president of the National Honor Society and is a member of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, Future Business Leaders of America, Community Service Club, Multi-Cultural Club, Science Olympiad and Scholar’s Bowl. Last year, he served as vice president of Model UN. 

Outside of school, he volunteers at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, St. Mary’s Hospital and the American Red Cross. He hopes to be accepted to an accelerated B.S./M.D. medical program, majoring in Biology. After medical school, Dev aspires to own his own medical practice.

Sumit has been a principal’s list honor roll student throughout high school. He was honored as Student of the Month for Leadership and has served as class treasurer for four years. 

He earned first place Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science awards at both regionals and states for four years where he received two perfect scores and is the recipient of two $8,000 Penn State scholarships for the College of Engineering and Eberly College of Science.  

Sumit is a member of the Student Government Association, Student Council, Community Service, Multi-Cultural Club, PJAS, Science Olympiads, orchestra and the varsity swimming and tennis team. 

Outside of school, he is a nine-year member of the Hulmeville Soccer Club and previously was a member of Hindi USA where he promoted philosophy/culture in India by traveling. Sumit plans to attend medical school or study science research, earn a B.S. in Biochemistry and/or attend a seven-year medical program. 

Parth has been a principal’s list honor roll student throughout high school. He serves as vice president of the National Honor Society and was vice president of Model UN in 10th-grade.  

He is a member of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, Future Business Leaders of America, Multi-Cultural Club, Activities Committee, and Community Service Club. Parth has participated in a number of sports throughout high school including basketball, tennis, and outdoor track.  

Outside of school he is a member of the Bensalem Leo Club. Parth plans to study Biomedical Engineering and then possibly attend Medical School.