Two HPA Seniors Named Finalists in 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program

Kyle Matsuda and Justin Sandulli, seniors at Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA), have been named finalists in the 57th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Mark Noetzel, HPA Upper School principal, made the announcement.

These academically-talented students will continue in the competition for 8,400 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $34 million that will be offered in 2012. Matsuda and Sandulli also have been recognized as AP Scholar with Honor and AP Scholar with Distinction, respectively.

Matsuda, who is a Presidential Scholars Program candidate, is the son of Richard and Leslie Matsuda of Waimea. Matsuda was one of just two pianists out of a total of 12 gifted high school musicians from across the United States invited to participate in the recent Vail Jazz Workshop; he was the first participant ever selected from the state of Hawaii in the program’s 16-year history. In addition to music, Matsuda enjoys basketball, volleyball, surfing, and bodysurfing, and has attained the rank of student black belt in Kempo Karate.

Sandulli, the son of Richard and Kelly Sandulli of Waimea, is passionate about art history and is extremely active in the arts—at school and in the community. He is a a volunteer with the Institute for Drama Therapy and will take on the role of Mr. Henderson in the school’s upcoming production, Teach Me How to Cry, March 1-3. In his spare time, Sandulli enjoys continuing his studies in art history and theatre, and visiting art museums. He has been admitted Early Decision to Duke University.

National Merit Scholarship winners of 2012 will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July. These scholarship recipients will join more than 283,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.