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Harvard bound student wins National Merit Scholarship
| mentally impaired embarrassed to the bone senate gunner | 05/05/08 |
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Date: May 5th, 2008 8:48 AM Author: mentally impaired embarrassed to the bone senate gunner Harvard-bound student wins Merit scholarship
By ADAM BENSON Union Leader Correspondent
DERRY – A Pinkerton Academy senior and aspiring science researcher has been selected as the winner of a National Merit $2,500 Scholarship, school officials announced.
"Obviously, I'm very happy," said 18-year-old Ivan Bochkov of Derry. Winning was the result of "just a lot of hard work. I stay up late studying and don't get much sleep."
Bochkov will attend Harvard University this summer, where we plans to study biochemistry.
He has an internship lined up with the school's Smithsonian Center for astrophysics, which begins just a week after he graduates.
Each year, 1.4 million students enter the National Merit Scholar program, and the 50,000 who score highest on the qualifying test are chosen.
Even if students don't take home a scholarship, being named a finalist is significant since several colleges and universities offer their own for those who move through the program.
In February, four Londonderry students were named finalists, though final results weren't immediately available.
Bochkov was one of three Pinkerton finalists, along with Jennifer Gaines and Sabrina Kowaleski. School spokesman Robin Perrin said officials didn't yet know whether either of them also won a scholarship.
In addition to maintaining a rigorous academic schedule, Bochkov is active in the community as well.
He's played viola since third grade and has been a member of the New Hampshire All-state Orchestra all four years at Pinkerton.
Bochkov is also captain of the math team and a part of the school's string ensemble.
He's the class of 2008 salutatorian and will graduate with an honors diploma.
During his freshman year, Bochkov played lacrosse, and he's also an avid fencer.
"I've learned to juggle all of my activities," Bochkov said. "I concentrate on some thing on certain days and kind of keep track of all my deadlines."
Bochkov is also a member of Derry's Community Alliance for Teen Safety, which works to combat underage drinking.
He said his time at Pinkerton has prepared him well for a postsecondary education.
"A lot of things about Pinkerton I love, because they're a lot like college," he said. "A lot of my AP classes this year are at a college level and with that behind me, I feel like in college it's going to be more of the same because it will be easier."
Bochkov credits his parents, Dmitry and Natasha, for allowing him to actively pursue his interests while in school.
"My parents have been tremendously supportive. I feel like I have to thank them for everything," he said. |