Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate student named National Merit Scholar

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

Sujena Koilpillai, who recently graduated from Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School, was named a 2018 National Merit Scholar, receiving a college-sponsored scholarship from the University of Central Florida.

Because of her achievement, Koilpillai has also received a state-sponsored merit scholarship through the Benacquisto Scholarship Program, which awards Florida high school graduates who achieve National Merit Scholar designation.

“It’s really exciting and a great reward because UCF is the college I wanted to go, but not every college sponsors a National Merit scholarship,” she explained. “I was accepted to the medical program there, and it just so happened that UCF sponsors a scholarship, so it feels like everything worked out and I am just so grateful.”

Nearly 1.6 million students tested for this year’s National Merit Scholarship Program. Koilpillai learned in October that she was one of 16,000 semifinalists – only one of 13 in Polk County.

She is one of 7,500 winners in the country and Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate’s first student to receive National Merit Scholar status.

Koilpillai graduated in May as co-valedictorian of Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate’s 2018 class, sharing the top spot with her twin sister, Rehana.

They each achieved high school grade-point averages of 4.691 and graduated summa cum laude with the College’s 118th class, receiving Polk State Associate in Arts degrees.

“Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate definitely gave me the tools I need to be successful,” she said. “I was involved in a bunch of clubs that were oriented toward my interests and goals, which prepared me even more for college and my future career.”

The Koilpillais will continue their higher education at UCF’s Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences. Sujena plans to study biomedical sciences and aspires to become a doctor, although she’s not sure which specific field she will pursue yet.

“Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate definitely gave me the tools I need to be successful,” she said. “I was involved in a bunch of clubs that were oriented toward my interests and goals, which prepared me even more for college and my future career.”

She participated in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), National Honor Society, Key Club, and on the Academic Team, placing in regional and state-wide competitions. Also a skilled flute player, Koilpillai participated in all-county and all-state bands, as well as state solo and ensemble competitions.

Koilpillai encourages students to get involved in extracurricular activities and take advantage of courses that prep them for the Preliminary SAT and SAT tests.

“When I took the PSAT, I didn’t know of all of the benefits it would have, but my parents encouraged me and my high school courses prepared me to do my best,” she explained. “It really paid off and has afforded me so many opportunities I wasn’t even aware of.”

Students who take the PSAT as juniors qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Semifinalists must maintain academic excellence through their senior year of high school, earning SAT scores that confirm their earlier performance on the PSAT, also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT).

Koilpillai scored a 1520.

“We are so proud of Sujena and all of her accomplishments,” Principal Bridget Fetter said. “I am positive that she will go on to accomplish many more great achievements and continue to make her Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate family proud.”