Laila Eshel has been recognized as a Commended Student in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program for scoring high on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) in 2023.
“It’s important to try your best because you never know what’s going to happen,” she said. “I didn’t think I was going to get a really good score when I took that test and now I’m getting an award. It’s exciting.”
The senior is one of about 34,000 Commended Students in the United States recognized for exceptional academic promise. Eshel was presented a Letter of Commendation.
“It’s a great testament to the hard work of her teachers, her family and of the student,” said Edwin Davenport, high school principal. “We’re very proud of her achievement and we’re looking forward to her continuing on that path after she leaves us.”
Eshel excels in the classroom, taking four AP courses in her senior year after completing three AP courses as a junior. She enjoys STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
“Everything you learn makes sense with everything else. There is nothing contradicting,” she said.
Eshel is interested in studying next year at Brandeis, Smith, Bryn Mawr or Kenyon. She mentioned having an interest in being a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse, neuro scientist or doing neuro science research.
Eshel is part of the peer leadership club at Rhinebeck and enjoys playing the violin.
“I’ve been doing it since I was four,” said Eshel. “I’ve been doing it for so long, it’s part of everything I do. I like it. It’s beautiful.”
Eshel said she likes playing chamber music on the violin, a type of classical music composed for a small group of instruments and musicians.
“In chamber music, everyone’s instrument is equally powerful and it’s collaborative in an individual way,” she said.