Commended Raiders - National Merit® Scholarship Program

Congratulations to the five Central Catholic seniors who were recently recognized by the 2025 National Merit® Scholarship Program as "Commended Students" - Brady Barry '25, Juliet Clark '25, Erin Olverson '25, Joseph Palmisano '25, and Ethan Westaway '25.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a not-for-profit organization that recognizes academically talented high school students.

Central Catholic Principal Mr. Andrew Murray presented each student with a Letter of Commendation for their academic accomplishments.

"The entire Central Catholic community is incredibly proud of the academic success of these talented students," said Mr. Murray. "We are confident that they will all achieve amazing accomplishments moving forward."

Commended Students

• Brady Barry '25
• Juliet Clark '25
• Erin Olverson '25
• Joseph Palmisano '25
• Ethan Westaway '25

 

About the 'Commended Students' Program

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2025 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2025 competition by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). The program is offered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation – a not-for-profit organization that recognizes academically talented high school students.

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Meet the Scholars...

Brady Barry '25

• National Merit® Commended Student
• Hometown: Methuen
• Middle School: Comprehensive Grammar School (Methuen)

CCHS Activities

• National Honor Society (Vice President)
• Marist Mentors (E-Board)
• Student Volunteer for Campus Ministry (Lector during Mass and Morning Prayer)
• Cross Country (JV)
• Visions Literary & Arts Magazine Contributor
• Visions Coffeehouse Performer
• Aspiring Raider Review Staff Writer

Outside CCHS

• Lector for St. Anthony Maronite Church
• Intermediate Épée Fencing at Vivo Fencing (Haverhill)
• Director & Founder of “Le Nouvel Ami du Peuple” blog with guest authors.

"I regularly metal detect, hunt for antiques, and restore/maintain historical artifacts for my personal collection. One of my favorite pastimes is biblical exegesis."

Community Service

• St. Luke the Evangelist Parish Easter Basket Drive
• Lazarus House Cross-Country Team Service Project
• Volunteer at Nevins Manor (Lawrence) and other individual service projects.

Being Marist

"Two Community Service experiences that I enjoy are rooted in the Marist charism: Marist Mentors and my work as a lector for St. Anthony Maronite Church. In Marist Mentors, I tutor students and have graduated to the Executive Board, a distinction which I strive to honor."

"I also enjoy being a lector at St. Anthony Maronite Church, because I act as a positive role model to my peers, epitomized by one impressed altar boy’s remark—a colloquial, yet poignant, “Bravo, man!”—upon my descent from the pulpit."

Faculty Mentors

"I appreciate Mr. Alaimo’s (Mr. Eric Alaimo ’02, Religious Studies Faculty) willingness to always answer my biblical inquiries with the utmost profundity and richness of thought."

"I also appreciate Mr. Benedetto (Mr. Robert Benedetto '89, Science Faculty), who always insists upon the cruciality of valuing learning over grade point averages, prompts me to question my beliefs constructively, offers me support in times of strife, and is another captivating conversationalist not only in academic life, but also in cross-country."

Other faculty shout outs: Mrs. Thompson [Mrs. Christine (Leonard '06) Thompson, English Faculty], Mr. Welch (Mr. Joseph Welch '90, English Faculty), Mr. Lynch (Mr. Joseph Lynch, Social Studies Faculty) and Mr. Griffin (Mr. Brian Griffin, Science Faculty). 

Future Plans

"I have many interests that I may pursue in higher education. Some of these include linguistics, physics, philosophy, and biblical exegesis."

"Possible college plans include MIT, Princeton University, and Yale University. I have mulled over my vocation in the Catholic Church…whether I want to become a non-ordained friar or take Holy Orders."

"I would like to double major in both physics and linguistics so that I may write in academic journals across the globe, as a linguistics major would facilitate the learning of new languages in an applied concentration. Writing a biblical exegetical work is also a dream of mine."

Why is Central Catholic special?

The special part about Central Catholic is the Marist charism imbued in its spirit. I feel that we are unified as one faithful body in Christ when we pray the Memorare each day, for each believer, whether in the sunshine or blistering cold of their spiritual journey, may turn to the Blessed Mother, just as Stanislaus and Champagnat did in the snow, in the hope that brighter days may shine ahead. Subsisting in this hope is quintessential to the Catholic faith, for, as it is written in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Raider Legacy

Brady’s brother Brandon Barry '24, uncle Christopher Gibney '90 and cousins Matthew Gibney '18 and Kaleigh Gibney '20.

Juliet Clark '25

• National Merit® Commended Student
• Hometown: Haverhill
• Middle School: Sacred Hearts School (Bradford)

CCHS Activities

• Student Alumni Association
• Student Ambassadors
• Marist Mentors
• Peer Leaders
• National Honor Society (Treasurer)

Outside CCHS 

"I am a competitive dancer and have practice six days a week. I am also an assistant teacher at my dance studio."

Community Service

"I have enjoyed volunteering with the Special Olympics MA at their annual Summer Games and other events. I have also spent the past two school years mentoring and tutoring students at the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, which I consider to be one of the most meaningful experiences I have had.”

Faculty Mentors

"I extend my gratitude to all the faculty and staff at CCHS for helping me achieve my goals inside and outside of the classroom."

"I would like to particularly thank Ms. Sun (Ms. Jingxuan Cindy Sun, Mathematics & World Languages Faculty) for her kindness and support throughout the past three years, and Mr. Welch (Mr. Joseph Welch '90, English Faculty), whose excellent teaching made a difficult course more manageable and who helped me through a difficult junior year."

Future Plans

"I plan to attend a four-year university to continue my academic studies, with a possible major in Economics or Biology. I also want to continue dancing and choreographing when I am older."

Why is Central Catholic special?

"The most special aspect of Central Catholic is all the opportunities it has to offer. With a wide range of classes, athletics, and clubs, CCHS is a place where students of all backgrounds can find their passions and thrive."

Raider Legacy

Juliet’s mom Amy (Burns '90^PMA) Clark and sister Caroline Clark '22.

Erin Olverson '25

• National Merit® Commended Student
• Hometown: Plaistow, NH
• Middle School: St. Joseph Regional Catholic School (Salem, NH)

CCHS Activities

• Concert Choir
• Central Harmony
• Model United Nations (E-Board)
• Student Alumni Association (E-Board)
• Student Ambassadors
• National Honor Society
• Visions Coffeehouse
• Encounter Retreats

Outside CCHS

• NH Childhood Cancer Lifeline, an independent fundraiser for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Principal Performer at the Methuen Young People’s Theater.

Community Service

"I am involved with the New Hampshire Childhood Cancer Lifeline and their annual fundraiser to benefit their provision of financial and emotional resources to families all over the state who are battling cancer."

"I also have been directing my own independent fundraisers for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, raising over $4,000 across two events."

"I have also been involved in numerous events through Central Catholic, namely alongside the Student Alumni Association, that benefit the school and other local communities."

Faculty Mentors

"I’d like to thank Mr. Welch (Mr. Joseph Welch '90, English Faculty), my AP English Language and Composition teacher last year. He has been an inspiration for me to continue developing my writing skill, and his class was truly a joy to experience, even when I initially struggled."

"Secondly, everyone in the Advancement & Alumni Office has been amazing about supporting my passion for fundraising and other volunteer work within and outside of Central Catholic. I will always be grateful for their dedication to the Central Catholic community."

Future Plans

"I was inspired to pursue medicine by witnessing my sister’s cancer treatment over the last two years and seeing the miraculous work that her medical team has done for her. I am currently applying for BS/MD combined programs around the country, but my top three choices would be Brown University, Case Western Reserve University, and The University of Rochester."

Why is Central Catholic special?

"The special connections you can make not only with other students, but also with the staff, is one of my favorite aspects of Central Catholic. I have so many supporters who are teachers and other staff, and they always push me to be my best self when I walk in the building every morning."

Joseph Palmisano '25

• National Merit® Commended Student
• Hometown: Methuen
• Middle School: Donald P. Timony Grammar School (Methuen)

CCHS Activities

• Concert Band
• Pep Band and Jazz Band
• National Honor Society
• Robotics Club

Community Service

"At the Sacred Hearts Parish, I helped sort out the pantry and giving food out to those in need. I always noticed how the small pantry paled in comparison to the long line of cars that waited to receive their food. It seemed symbolic to me, that such a small place could provide so much to so many people."

Faculty Mentors

"I can confidently say that everyone I have interacted with at Central has had a meaningful impact on me."

"I'd like to mention Mr. Joyal (Mr. Andrew Joyal '11, Mathematics and Business & Technology Faculty), who has taught me valuable information that helped me further develop my problem solving skills, whether it be in coding or in designing a robot. I feel more confident in approaching bigger problems now as I am able to creatively think about plausible solutions and execute them."

"I'd like to acknowledge Mr. Griffin (Mr. Brian Griffin, Science Faculty) as well, who has given me tremendous help regarding any of the harder questions I encounter. His comprehensive way of teaching has rubbed off on me a lot, and I find myself trying to help others in the same way he has helped me. I feel like without him, I would not have such a strong understanding of physics."

"I'd also like to recognize Mr. Denmead (Mr. Bruce Denmead, Fine & Performing Arts Faculty), who drives the Music program here at Central. He has led me and my other bandmates in such a unique way, helping us make the pieces we play come alive musically. Being affectionate, exuberant, and especially humorous, Mr. Denmead always manages to make me smile when I enter the Band Room."

"Finally, I'd like to mention Mr. Welch (Mr. Joseph Welch '90, English Faculty), who has irrevocably altered my view of the English language. Whereas before I often found writing more challenging, he has helped me find a deeper passion in the subject and enabled me to articulate my thoughts cohesively on paper."

Future Plans

"I wish to attend Northeastern University and pursue a degree in either engineering, software development, or computer science. I also hope to be able to explore more artistic endeavors when I have the time."

Why is Central Catholic special?

"I feel like the support you get from all the faculty and staff at Central is what truly separates it from other high schools. Everyone plays an important part in making this place open and suitable for each student to learn, excel, and grow as a person."

Raider Legacy

Grandfather Frank Palmisano '45, brother John Palmisano '22, cousins Julia Palmisano '19 and Jessica Palmisano '21.

Ethan Westaway '25

• National Merit® Commended Student
• Hometown: Chelmsford
• Middle School: Parker Middle School (Chelmsford)

CCHS Activities

• Cross Country (Captain)
• Indoor Track & Field
• Outdoor Track & Field
• DECA - Distributive Education Clubs of America (E-Board)
• Student Ambassadors
• National Honor Society

Community Service

"I worked with the other Cross Country captains to organize a service project with the Lazarus House shelter this fall where we provide, cook, and serve meals to the families there directly. I really enjoyed getting to make something so impactful happen and see how we can make an impact on our community."

Why is Central Catholic special?

"The tight-knit community between students and teachers at CCHS makes it special. I feel like the teachers are more than people who just lecture us and grade our assignments, and it contributes to a greater sense of belonging for all of us."

Raider Legacy

Ethan’s brother William Westaway '24.