Marmion Academy graduate named National Merit Scholar

Marmion Academy graduate Albert J. Rechenmacher has been awarded a National Merit $2,500 Scholarship, making him a National Merit Scholar in the 61st annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Rechenmacher, son of Ronald and Gretchen Rechnebacher of Batavia, was one of 2,500 scholarship winners chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding finalists.

Rechenmacher is in the top 10 percent of Marmion's Class of 2016. He also is the academy's 2015-2016 JROTC Battalion Commander and has held leadership roles on Marmion's Flannigan Rifles Drill Team, the WYSE team, the math team and student council. Rechenmacher has been involved with the Crayons for Kids school supply drive, is a Marmion MENtor, a peer mentor to younger Marmion students, and a member of the varsity wrestling team.

Outside of Marmion, Rechenmacher serves on the Waterleaf Teen Advisory Board and volunteers at the SCN Youth Wrestling program.

National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners are the finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies. These scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from two standardized tests; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.