Six Atlanta Graduates Named National Merit Scholars

ATLANTA, GA -- Six high school graduates from Atlanta have been named National Merit Scholars, the program announced Wednesday. The National Merit Scholarship program provides students with up to $2,000 annually for four years toward an undergraduate degree at an institution of higher learning.

Nationally, 182 universities in 44 states have agreed to underwrite Merit Scholarship awards, which honor individual academic achievement and potential for collegiate success. In Georgia, 18 institutions, including Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Furman and George Washington universities, will back scores of students.

Here are Atlanta's 2017 National Merit Scholarship winners:

Charles L. Oglesby ATLANTA 30327 Probable career field: Finance: THE WESTMINSTER SCHOOLS, ATLANTA -- NATIONAL MERIT SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Robert T. Porter ATLANTA 30305 Probable career field: Computer Programming: ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC H. S., ATLANTA -- NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA SCHOLARSHIP

Thomas Sheehan ATLANTA 30327: Probable career field: Business Management: THE WESTMINSTER SCHOOLS, ATLANTA -- NATIONAL MERIT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

James Michael Siochi ATLANTA 30360: Probable career field: Information Systems Management: GWINNETT SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, LAWRENCEVILLE -- NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA SCHOLARSHIP

Carson R. Staples ATLANTA 30328 Probable career field: Medicine: HOLY INNOCENTS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL, ATLANTA -- NATIONAL MERIT FURMAN UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Adrian A. Waller ATLANTA 30340 Probable career field: Theater CHAMBLEE CHARTER H. S., CHAMBLEE NATIONAL MERIT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Read more: See Georgia's master list of National Merit Scholars

Wednesday's announcement of recipients is the third installment of National Merit Scholar winners this year. On April 19, corporate-sponsored awards were announced, then on May 10 the recipients of the $2,5000 scholarships were named. On July 17, more winners will be announced.

By year's end more than $32 million in National Merit Scholarships will have been awarded to about 7,5000 winners.

Image via Pixabay