Page 4 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 2, 2026 Mystic Valley seniors earn National Merit Recognition; Angelina Ricciardone named Semifinalist By Emily Brennan M ystic Valley Regional Charter School is proud to announce that 10 members of the Class of 2027 have earned recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for their outstanding performance on the 2025 PSAT/NMSQT®, including senior Angelina Ricciardone, who has been named a Semifinalist in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. Nine additional Mystic Valley seniors — Maya Abuzaid, Victor Caetano, Adam Cheng, Wassim Daoud, Sadra Hashempour, Prisha Kumar, Ihsan Niğdelioğlu, Kyle Phung and Emma Wang — have been named Commended Students. The nine honorees represent the most Commended Students in Mystic Valley history, both by total number and as a percentage of the graduating class. More than 1.2 million high SAFETY | FROM PAGE 1 formed a “working group” to address this issue, and other communities in The Advocate readership area and far beyond are also trying to come up with ways and means to address this omnipresent safety issue. Angelina Ricciardone school juniors from approximately 20,000 high schools entered this year’s National Merit Scholarship Program. Just over 16,000 were selected as Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and including the highest-scoring entrants in each state. Commended Students are also among the top performers in the competition, placing among the top 50,000 particiCity leaders are also cognizant of the value and need for these micromobility devices. Basically, if young people are transporting themselves on these devices, there are fewer full-size cars and SUVs on the road since they do not have to be transported by caregivers. Also, the cost of tion in recognition of their exceptional academic promise. While Commended Students do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, the honor places them among a select group of the nation’s highest-performing students. As a Semifinalist, Ricciardone can advance to Finalist standing and compete for National Merit Scholarships. More than 15,000 Semifinalists are expected to be named Finalists in February, with scholarship recipients selected based on their academic achievements, demonstrated abilities and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Together, Ricciardone and National Merit students, from left to right: Back row: Emma Wang, Ihsan Niğdelioğlu, Sadra Hashempour, Kyle Phung and Victor Caetano; front row: Maya Abuzaid, Prisha Kumar, Wassim Daoud and Adam Cheng. pants nationwide based on their qualifying exam scores. Approxan electric charge to get them back-and-forth from school is less than even an MBTA bus ride and far less than a gallon of gas. The comprehensive RIDE SAFE bill, which appears to be close to being fully passed by the state legislature and, hopefully, in place by the end of the calimately 34,000 students across the country receive the distincendar year, will address many of the concerns of everyone, as it would institute specific, enforceable regulations that would govern the use — and users — of micromobility devices. Local municipal governments are in an anticipatory mode, waiting to endorse and promote the safeMystic Valley’s record-setting group of Commended Students highlight the academic achievement of the Class of 2027 and continue the school’s tradition of excellence in preparing students for success beyond high school. guards that are included in the RIDE SAFE bill. In our local communities, these actions cannot come soon enough. The safety of all of our citizens, both those who operate the devices and those on the “near miss” end, are depending on it. Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Harvey Vinyl Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured Everett Aluminum Supplies Celebrating 67 Years in Business Since 1958! ws
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