Additional 2012 College-sponsored Merit Scholarship Winners Named

[Howard Hartman]

Additional 2012 College-sponsored Merit Scholarship Winners Named

Twenty-Seven Montgomery County Students Receive Scholarships

Montgomery County Winners

(Evanston, Illinois) More than 2,000 additional winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by colleges and universities were announced by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (nmsc) today. These Merit Scholar designees join over 2,500 other college-sponsored award recipients who were announced in late May.

Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among the Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program who will attend their institution. College sponsored awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.

This year, 197 colleges and universities are sponsoring about 4,600 Merit Scholarship awards. Sponsor colleges include 117 private and 80 public institutions located in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

This final group of winners brings the number of 2012 National Merit Scholars to approximately 8,100. These distinguished high school graduates will receive scholarships for undergraduate study worth a total of over $35 million. In addition to college-sponsored awards, two other types of National Merit Scholarships were offered—2,500 National Merit® $2500 Scholarships, for which all Finalists competed, and over 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit
Scholarship awards for Finalists who met criteria specified by their grantor organizations.

2012 National Merit Scholarship Competition

This year’s competition for National Merit Scholarships began when approximately 1.5 million juniors in some 22,000 high schools took the 2010 Preliminary sat/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. In September 2011, about 16,000 Semifinalists were named on a state representational
basis in numbers proportional to each state’s percentage of the national total of graduating high school seniors. Semifinalists were the highest-scoring program entrants in each state and represented less than one percent of the nation’s seniors.

To become a Finalist, each Semifinalist had to submit a detailed scholarship application, which included writing an essay and describing leadership positions and contributions in school and community activities, showing an outstaning academic record, and being endorsed and recommended by a high school official. Semifinalists also had to take the sat and earn scores
that confirmed their performance on the initial qualifying test. From the Semifinalist group, about 15,000 attained Finalist standing, and more than half of the Finalists were chosen to receive National Merit Scholarships.

NMSC, a not-for-profit corporation that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 to conduct the National Merit Scholarship Program. Over the past 57 years, more than 292,000 outstanding young men and women have won National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $1 billion. The majority of awards offered each year are underwritten by approximately 440 independent corporate and college sponsors that support NMSC’s efforts to
recognize scholastically talented youth and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence.

Montgomery County Winners

Public Schools

Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School

Catherina L. Leipold, Chevy Chase
Probable career field: Journalism/International Relations
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL SCHOLARSHIP


Montgomery Blair High School

Alla Avakova, Potomac
Probable career field: Neuroscience
NATIONAL MERIT NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Andrew W. Lu, Rockville
Probable career field: Engineering
NATIONAL MERIT BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Mengdi Shi, Rockville
Probable career field: Economics
NATIONAL MERIT RICE UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Shiv R. Kaul, Silver Spring
Probable career field: Engineering
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOLARSHIP


Paint Branch High School

Benedict J. Wills, Silver Spring
Probable career field: Economics
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOLARSHIP


Poolesville High School

Beidi Luo, Boyds
Probable career field: Accounting
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOLARSHIP

Yuting Wu, Boyds
Probable career field: Medicine
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOLARSHIP


Richard Montgomery High School

Jiaqi Li, Boyds
Probable career field: Medicine
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOLARSHIP

Gabriel J. Lazarus, Chevy Chase
Probable career field: Law
NATIONAL MERIT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

David C. Hamilton, Gaithersburg
Probable career field: Film
NATIONAL MERIT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Lucia Lu, Gaithersburg
Probable career field: Publishing
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SCHOLARSHIP

Yumeng Wang, Germantown
Probable career field: Social Science
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOLARSHIP

Elizabeth C. Axley, Rockville
Probable career field: Anthropology
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOLARSHIP

Daniel Galitsky, Rockville
Probable career field: Economics/Business
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOLARSHIP

Jesse M. Itskowitz, North Potomac
Probable career field: Film
NATIONAL MERIT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP


Thomas S. Wootten High School

Alice J. Chang, Rockville
Probable career field: Economics
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SCHOLARSHIP

Catherine Heather Ji, Rockville
Probable career field: Engineering
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP


Walt Whitman High School

Elizabeth N. Bartlett, Bethesda
Probable career field: Music (Vocal)
NATIONAL MERIT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP


Walter Johnson High School

Omar S. Agha, Kensington
Probable career field: Music (Vocal)
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SCHOLARSHIP


Winston Churchill High School

Joshua D. Preuss, Kensington
Probable career field: Music (Vocal)
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SCHOLARSHIP

Private Schools

Beavercreek High School, Beavercreek, OH

Timothy R. Furman, Clarksburg
Probable career field: Aerospace Engineering
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOLARSHIP


Georgetown Day School, Washington, DC

Rachel M. Scharff, Potomac
Probable career field: Law
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SCHOLARSHIP


Israel Henry Beren High School, Baltimore, MD

Eli Bergman, Silver Spring
Probable career field: Accounting
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOLARSHIP


Phillips Academy, Andover, MA

Brandon P. Wong, Poolesville
Probable career field: Social Entrepreneurship
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL SCHOLARSHIP


St. Albans School, Washington, DC

Alexander Jalota, Silver Spring
Probable career field: Science
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOLARSHIP


Yang Academy, Gaithersburg, MD

Joyce C. Yang, Rockville
Probable career field: Mathematics
NATIONAL MERIT HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP

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About the scholarships:
NATIONAL MERIT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
Vanderbilt University is an independent, privately supported university located in Nashville, Tennessee. It was founded in 1873 and is named after Cornelius Vanderbilt who provided funds to establish the university. The university offers undergraduate programs in Liberal Arts, Music, Engineering, Education, and Human Development. Graduate programs are offered in the Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Business, Engineering, Nursing, Divinity, Law, Medicine, and Public Policy

NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOLARSHIP
There are three University of Maryland campuses. The College Park campus provides a comprehensive program of graduate and undergraduate work, including a large and active general honors program. The Eastern Shore campus offers a small college environment with a selective honors program leading to admission to the university's professional schools. At Baltimore County students will find a medium-sized state university campus with particularly strong programs in the Arts and Sciences.

NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL SCHOLARSHIP
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, founded in 1789, was the first state university. Carolina enrolls 15,400 undergraduates and 8,780 graduate students and provides instruction and research in the Liberal Arts, Sciences, Fine Arts, Journalism and Mass Communication, Education, Business, Medicine, Dentistry, and Law. Carolina's rich history, outstanding facilities, and research opportunities offer students a superior foundation for advanced study and professional careers.

NATIONAL MERIT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
American University is an independent, coeducational institution located on a 78-acre campus in northwest Washington, DC. Strong emphasis is placed on a liberal arts education integrated with internships, co-ops, and study abroad. Degrees are offered through the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Public & International Affairs; the Schools of Communication,
Education, Justice, International Service, Government & Public Administration, & Nursing; and a Technical Center.

NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SCHOLARSHIP
The University of Chicago is small, private, coeducational, and residential; it has an international reputation for distinction. The college (3,425 undergraduate students) offers liberal arts training in over 60 areas; 3,100 students are enrolled in 4 graduate divisions; about 3,000 in 7 graduate professional schools. Since 1892, Chicago has drawn gifted students from around the world to its beautiful 165 acre campus and has offered unexcelled teaching and extensive library and research facilities.

NATIONAL MERIT NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
Founded in 1898, Northeastern University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. The University is a leader in interdisciplinary and use-inspired research, urban engagement, and the integration of classroom learning with real-world experience. We integrate rigorous classroom studies with experiential learning opportunities - anchored by the nation's largest most innovative cooperative education program - designed to prepare students for a lifetime of achievement.

NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP
The University of Southern California is private, coeducational, nonsectarian, and is located in the heart of the city of Los Angeles. Undergraduate enrollment is nearly 14,000 students. A College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is complemented by 19 professional and graduate schools offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. Graduate enrollment is about 12,000.

NATIONAL MERIT BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
Boston University is a non-sectarian, privately endowed, coeducational institution. It has an undergraduate enrollment of over 15,000. It offers undergraduate degrees in Arts and Sciences, Education, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Hospitality Administration, Engineering, Theater, Music, Visual Arts, Communication, Management, and University Professors.

NATIONAL MERIT RICE UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
Rice University is a non-sectarian, privately endowed, coeducational institution in Houston, Texas. Majors are offered in the Humanities, Music, Social Sciences, Architecture, Business Administration, Science, and Engineering. The university has 4,200 students (2,800 undergraduate) and admission is competitive. The undergraduate curricula allow many elective choices and provision for individual interdisciplinary programs.

NATIONAL MERIT HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
Harvey Mudd College is a highly selective college of Engineering & Science in Claremont, California. It is a member of a consortium of six colleges, the Claremont Colleges, where students interact in academic, social, and cultural activities. Harvey Mudd has an enrollment of 540 with a faculty/student ratio of 1:8. The college combines a rigorous scientific education with one-third of the coursework required in the humanities and social sciences.

NATIONAL MERIT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
Northwestern University is a major teaching and research institution whose undergraduate campus is located in Evanston, Illinois.Its full-time undergraduate enrollment includes 7,300 students pursuing programs of study in the Arts and Sciences as well as the specific professional schools of Education, Social Policy, Engineering, Journalism, Music, and Speech.