Lueck is National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist

Robert Wasiluk

Como Park senior Aleia Lueck has earned the prestigious honor of being named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. Less than 1% of high school students nationwide obtain this elite recognition.
Students qualify through their academic achievement and scoring on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
Lueck will pursue finalist status and seek to win a National Merit Scholarship award. To do so, she must fulfill several requirements including submitting a detailed scholarship application with recommendations and an original essay.
Lueck is an all-state swimmer for the Cougars and has qualified for the state meet in multiple events since her freshman season. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction meaning she has passed more than six national Advanced Placement Exams (seven so far in Lueck’s case) and has earned several more college credits through College in the Schools (CIS) at Como and Postsecondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) classes.
Oh, and one other noteworthy accomplishment: Lueck scored a perfect 36 on the ACT in her first attempt.
Outside of school, Lueck serves as a lifeguard for St. Paul Parks and Rec, and recently completed an internship at 3M through the Science Encouragement Training Program (STEP).
Lueck is considering several schools for the fall of 2026 including Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Williams College with plans to pursue a degree in engineering.

Homecoming festivities
Como’s Spirit Week leading up to homecoming weekend was successful and indeed spirited. Thematic dress up days added fun and creativity to some student wardrobes and Friday’s pep fest was full of cheers for fall sport teams, contests between classes, and the announcements of homecoming royalty.
The homecoming dance was held in Como’s gym on Friday night. Saturday, Sept. 27 was a spectacular sunny day for the homecoming parade in the morning followed by grilling, games, and the powder puff football game between the junior and senior girls.
Cougar fans filled the bleachers for the varsity football game at 1 p.m. versus city rival Highland Park. While the game did not go in Como’s favor, the positivity and energy of the crowd, band, cheerleaders, and supporters never wavered. Como pride was on display throughout a memorable week.

Marine Corps JROTC honors
For the 10th consecutive year, Como’s Marine Corps JROTC program has been recognized as a National Naval Honor School. This award is reserved for the top 20 percent of high school JROTC programs in the country, and is announced at the conclusion of each school year.
Criteria for the 2024-25 awards were based on annual inspections, community service, academic achievement, enrollment, cadet leadership, competitions, physical fitness, and scholastic engagement.
The cadets were busy through the summer with training, volunteering and fundraising. Their service with the State Fair’s sanitation department earned money to support the program and was featured in a Star Tribune story.