Senior Ben Chipman Honored by National Merit Scholarship Program

West Roxbury, Mass.—The 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program commended Catholic Memorial School senior Ben Chipman for scoring among the top three percent of national test takers during last October’s PSAT/National Merit Qualifying Test on Monday morning. Of the 1.6 million students who took the test, Ben joined a select group of 34,000 students recognized for their academic promise by the College Board’s National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

"When I found out that I became a commended student for the National Merit Scholarship Program, I was very surprised,” said Ben, who first learned about the news from CM Principal Mr. Thomas Beatty.

“After talking with Mr. Beatty and learning what I had been congratulated for, it felt amazing to know that all of my academic efforts had been worthwhile, culminating in an award as incredible as this. I am incredibly humbled and honored to have received this recognition— it’s beyond anything I could’ve imagined."

Ben, a Norfolk native, scored a 1480 out of 1520 on the exam. His subtopic scores finished in the 99th percentile. He projects to complete nine Advanced Placement courses before graduating in May.

An Eagle Scout and a member of the Varsity swimming team at CM, Ben excels outside the classroom too. He participates in the Drama Club, competes on the Forensics team, serves as a Peer Minister, and co-founded the Baker Street Boys A Capella group. During his junior year, Ben entered the National Honor Society and received a Harvard University Book Award. He earned the Presidential Volunteer Service Award during his freshman year at CM.

“The young men and women being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding academic success,” said a spokesman for the NMSC.

“These students represent a valuable 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.”

The 34,000 Commended Students no longer compete for National Merit Scholarships. That distinction belongs to the 16,000 semifinalists who qualify as the highest scoring candidates in their states. However, those selected as Commended Students receive separate consideration for special scholarships from corporate and business sponsors.

“Ben is an extremely bright, hardworking, and dedicated student,” said CM President Dr. Peter Folan.

“[He] has been deeply involved within the CM community, participating in athletics, choir, drama, speech, campus ministry and service immersion trips. He is a renaissance man and an Eagle Scout with the ability to engage with faculty and peers on a range of topics and ideas. He has been a gifted member of our Scholars Program with a natural curiosity. We are proud of everything that he has achieved here.”