07-05-2025
Lake Forest Community High School senior named winner of prestigious National Merit Scholarship
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — A Lake Forest Community High School senior has been named a 2025 National Merit Scholarship winner, one of just 2,500 high school seniors nationwide to receive the honor recognizing the most academically talented students in the U.S.
Elizabeth W. Silvay was selected from a pool of more than 15,000 finalists for their outstanding academic record, leadership and potential for success in rigorous college studies, Lake Forest Community High School announced in a news release Wednesday morning.
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According to the school, Silvay began her National Merit journey by taking the 2023 PSAT/NMSQT, joining over 1.3 million entrants. Of those, fewer than 1% of U.S. high school seniors achieved semifinalist status and went on to become finalists eligible for scholarships.
Less than 1% of students who initially apply for the National Merit Scholarship qualify for the top tier, which comes with a $2,500 scholarship award.
'Elizabeth represents the very best of LFHS — she's intellectually curious, deeply committed to her interests, and a positive force in every community she joins,' Dr. Erin Lenart, Assistant Superintendent/Principal of Lake Forest Community High School, said in the release. 'This recognition is a testament not only to her talent, but to her tenacity and the joy she brings to learning.'
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Silvay has committed to attend Ivy League school Dartmouth College starting in the fall, the school said in its release, and plans to pursue a career in chemical engineering.
At her high school, Silvay has been a member of the Math Team, French Club, JV tennis and track and field, in addition to being a downhill ski racer with the Wilmot and Aspen Valley Ski Clubs. She was named to the Illinois Ski Team at the Western High School Championship earlier this year.
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