Shawsheen Tech’s Donaher Named Nation’s ‘Highest Scorer’ by NMSC

Tewksbury native receives letter of commendation from National Merit Scholarship Corp.

BILLERICA – Shawsheen Valley Technical High School senior Jayden Donaher of Tewksbury has been named a Commend Student in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. Commend Students are recognized for being among the highest scorers in the nation on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

As a student receiving this honor, Jayden was presented with a Letter of Commendation for his exceptional academic promise from Principal Jessica Cook (right) and his guidance counselor Amanda Samaha on behalf of the National Merit Scholarship Program. Jayden is one of only 34,000 Commended Students in the nation and the only from Shawsheen.

“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” said a spokesperson for NMSC. ”These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

Principal Cook said, “This is a big deal for both Jayden and for Shawsheen. Since I started at this school, I have not known another student to receive this honor.” Ms. Cook and Superintendent Tony McIntosh both congratulated Jayden, a 2023 graduate of Shawsheen’s Information Support Services & Networking (ISSN) program, and shared his success with the school community.

Jayden was the Class of 2023 Salutatorian, and he will attend UMass-Lowell for computer engineering this fall.

About Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational School District: Established in 1965, Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District (SVRVTSD) is a student-centered public institution serving the five member towns of Billerica, Bedford, Burlington, Tewksbury, and Wilmington. Shawsheen Valley Technical High School serves more than 1,300 students in grades 9-12 and is “Dedicated to Excellence in Education”, integrating academics with more than 20-vocational-technical career pathways.