Petoskey graduate Simon Gelb named National Merit Scholarship Finalist

Karly Graham, The Petoskey News-Review
·2 min read

PETOSKEY — Simon Gelb spent 16 years of his life learning in Petoskey.

Before he was even a year old he started going to the Petoskey Montessori Children's House. In sixth grade, he made his way to Petoskey Middle School, and then Petoskey High School. On Sunday, June 2 he graduated, ending his Petoskey-based educational career. He is now headed to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to study engineering. But when he walked the stage, he found himself with a special honor — the National Merit Scholarship Finalist title.

Gelb, 17, is one of 15,000 students in the nation named as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. He was the only finalist from Petoskey High School.

Simon Gelb speaks during the Petoskey High School graduation on June 2, 2024.
Simon Gelb speaks during the Petoskey High School graduation on June 2, 2024.

He said that at the end of his sophomore year, he took the PSAT 11, which is used as a qualifying test for the scholarship. He qualified as a high-scoring student. After taking the test, Gelb had to receive a letter of recommendation and write an essay to be considered as a finalist.

Gelb said that while the honor was exciting, it wasn't necessarily a surprise to him, as he has always excelled at college board exams. He even scored a nearly-perfect 1590 out of 1600 on his SAT exam, meaning he got just one question wrong.

Team captains Simon Gelb (left) and Cosmo Franseth (right) address the team during their March 13 robotics meeting.
Team captains Simon Gelb (left) and Cosmo Franseth (right) address the team during their March 13 robotics meeting.

"It's a huge honor, and I'm happy to have won it," Gelb said. "But as far as the list of things that I am proud of, it is low on the list, because I don't think that those tests are necessarily a perfect reflection of academic ability."

When it comes to his academic career, Gelb said, he's more proud of being co-captain of the robotics team, spending seven years in the district's band program, and speaking at the high school graduation ceremony.

Petoskey's Ariel Nguyen and Simon Gelb were named Homecoming queen and king during the Homecoming game in September.
Petoskey's Ariel Nguyen and Simon Gelb were named Homecoming queen and king during the Homecoming game in September.

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"When I look back on my legacy here, the things I would think of are being robotics captain, or speaking at graduation, or just the the relationships and friendships that I've made and people I've gotten to know," Gelb said. "It's just sort of another sheet of paper in my mind."

In addition to his time in robotics and band, Gelb participated in Quiz Bowl, National Honor Society, the Student Advisory Council and the Sustainability Club.

— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN. 

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey graduate Simon Gelb named National Merit Scholarship Finalist