Mar 8, 2025
OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Fredonia High School student Ben Feit, left, is pictured shaking hands with Principal Darrin Paschke at a recent Board of Education meeting.
One of Fredonia’s top students has proven he is not just among the best that his school has to offer — he’s one of the best in the nation.
Fredonia High School student Ben Feit has been named as a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship.
“It is my great honor to recognize an outstanding student from Fredonia High School who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, dedication, and intellect. Today, we celebrate Ben Feit,” High School Principal Darrin Paschke said at a recent Board of Education meeting.
Over 1.3 million juniors in approximately 21,000 high schools nationwide entered in the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT, which served as a qualifier for the program. Less than 1% of students were selected as semifinalists, based on SAT scores, academic achievement, participation in school/community activities, and leadership abilities.
Superintendent Dr. Brad Zilliox said Feit is “a very intelligent, involved young man and really a great part of our school community.”
As part of the process, an essay must be submitted along with the recommendation or endorsement from a high school official. In Feit’s case, that endorsement came from Paschke, who noted he could not remember ever having a student make it to the finalist stage of the National Merit Scholarship Program.
“This achievement is a testament to Ben’s hard work, perseverance, and commitment to excellence,” Paschke said.
Paschke later added, “Ben’s success is not his alone. It is also a reflection of the support and encouragement that he has received from his family.” Paschke credited Ben’s father, Neil Feit, and his mother, Julia Wilson, “for the role that they’ve played in fostering his love of learning and intellectual curiosity.”
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation was established in 1955. Scholarships are underwritten by the Corporation with its own funds and by approximately 280 business organizations, higher education institutions, and individual donors. Just over 382,000 students have received the honor of being named a Merit Scholar.
Each finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit Scholarships worth $2,500. Additional scholarships are offered by approximately 770 corporate sponsors, while roughly 150 colleges and universities will finance close to 3,600 scholarships to attend their institution. Winners will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July.
Paschke presented Feit with a certificate of recognition at the recent meeting. Feit shook Paschke’s hand to a round of applause, then politely declined to comment. Inviting Feit to come forward, Paschke said, “Congratulations, Ben. We are incredibly proud of you, and look forward to all of the great things that you will do.”
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