The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced today its first of two lists of high school seniors who have been awarded college-sponsored scholarships. The second group will be announced on July 13.
Corporate-sponsored merit scholarships winners were announced on April 22. These awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends that range from $1,000 to $10,000 per year. Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000.
The $2,500 scholarships were announced on May 13.
The journey began for high school juniors, 11th graders, in about 21,000 high schools in the United States who entered the academic competition by taking the 2018 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. They were competing for a share of 7,600 scholarships worth more than $30 million.
The highest-scoring students in each state represent the pool of semifinalists who, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, represent less than 1% of United States high school seniors.
The next step for a semifinalist to become a finalist was to complete the required application that includes their SAT or ACT scores, an essay and a letter of recommendation by a high school official.
Finalists were then chosen on the basis of academic record, their participation in community and school activities, how they have demonstrated leadership ability, employment and awards and honors received.
From a group of about 16,000 semifinalists, about 15,000 advanced to finalists. Students were notified in February if they were finalists and half of those win a scholarship.
The National Merit Scholarship winners, chosen on the basis of accomplishments, skills and potential for college success, are selected from this last group. Winners have been notified, on a rolling basis, since April 22.
High school students interested in applying in future years need to talk to their school counselor to make arrangements to take the PSAT/NMSQT test. Registration is through the high school and not by the students. For information on the competition, bit.ly/2lOoQr3
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation was established in 1955 and is an independent, not-for-profit group that does not operate with government assistance. Since its founding it has awarded about 432,000 scholarships worth over $1.7 billion.
The goals of the organization are to reward academically-dedicated students, encourage academic excellence at all levels of education, promote a deeper respect for learning in general and to encourage individuals and organizations to sponsor scholarships. nationalmerit.org; bit.ly/2kyowfH
Here is the list of college-sponsored winners in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program in Los Angeles County by school and school location:
ARCADIA
Arcadia HS
- Markis J. Cheng (University of Chicago)
- Michelle E. Tan (University of Texas at Dallas)
- Wesley Tong (USC)
BEVERLY HILLS
Beverly Hills HS
- Matthew J. Park (University of Chicago)
CALABASAS
Calabasas HS
- Andrew Chen (USC)
- Abby E. Nudell (Northwestern University)
CARSON
California Academy of Mathematics and Science
- Sofie A. Duntugan (Northwestern University)
- Cailyn Audrey Lee (USC)
CERRITOS
Cerritos HS
- Rachel S. Yoo (USC)
Valley Christian HS
- Tristan D. Griffith (USC)
CLAREMONT
Webb School of California
- Luke W. Raus (Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering)
CULVER CITY
Culver City HS
- Cooper E. Komatsu (University of Chicago)
GRANADA HILLS
Granada Hills Charter HS
- Ji Won Lee (USC)
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE
Flintridge Preparatory School
- Gage P. Detchemendy (Purdue University)
La Cañada HS
- Shanna L. Finnigan (USC)
- Naomi Karen Kearl (USC)
LA CRESCENTA
Clark Magnet HS
- Cole B. Barrios (USC)
Crescenta Valley HS
- Sarah S. Paik (Vanderbilt University)
LOS ANGELES
Brentwood School
- Oliver J. Broukhim (USC)
Marlborough School
- Emilynne S. Newsom (Harvey Mudd College)
- Alexandria E. Savagian (Bowdoin College)
NORTH HOLLYWOOD
Oakwood School
- Sarah R. Mostow (University of Chicago)
PACIFIC PALISADES
Palisades Charter HS
- Jonathan M. Lehman (Northwestern University)
PALOS VERDES ESTATES
Palos Verdes HS
- Morgan E. Farrier (USC)
- Phoebe E. Lai (USC)
- Samantha R. Steman (University of Minnesota)
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA
Chadwick School
- Hyun Yee Chung (University of Chicago)
- Paige C. Elliott (Vanderbilt University)
- Valmik D. Ranparia (USC)
PASADENA
Maranatha HS
- Samantha T. Wu (USC)
- Sara S. Wu (USC)
REDONDO BEACH
Redondo Union HS
- Vanessa Rebentisch (Texas A&M)
ROLLING HILLS ESTATES
Palos Verdes Peninsula HS
- Ryan E. Alimento USC)
- Charley C. Kim (USC)
- Sanjay A. Kumar (USC)
SANTA MONICA
Santa Monica HS
- Lily P. Stern (Tufts University)
SOUTH PASADENA
South Pasadena HS
- Jessica Deng (USC)
STUDIO CITY
Harvard-Westlake School
- Nikhila V. Sylbert (Herbert A Templeton Scholarship at Lewis & Clark)
TORRANCE
South HS
- Esther J. Lim (USC)
VALENCIA
Valencia HS
- Ashley M. Song (Harvey Mudd College)
VAN NUYS
High Tech Los Angeles Charter HS
- Jonathan T. Garcia (University of Chicago)
WALNUT
Walnut HS
- Chamine M. Tran (USC)
WOODLAND HILLS
El Camino Real Charter HS
- Andrew Vu (USC)
