12 Cobb Graduates Named National Merit Scholars

MARIETTA, GA -- Twelve high school graduates from Cobb County schools 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 Cobb County's 2017 National Merit Scholarship winners:

Andrew N. Crain KENNESAW 30152 Probable career field: Biochemical Engineering MOUNT PARAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, KENNESAW -- NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SCHOLARSHIP

William S. Hellier MABLETON 30126 Probable career field: Law WHITEFIELD ACADEMY, MABLETON -- NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA SCHOLARSHIP

Anthony D. Bernard, Jr. MARIETTA 30068 Probable career field: Computer Science WALTON H. S., MARIETTA -- NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA SCHOLARSHIP

Julia A. Edmunds MARIETTA 30068 Probable career field: Finance WALTON H. S., MARIETTA -- NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA SCHOLARSHIP

Alex P. Erdman MARIETTA 30062 Probable career field: Diplomatic Service ALAN C. POPE H. S., MARIETTA -- NATIONAL MERIT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Marjorie Hutcherson MARIETTA 30062 Probable career field: Veterinary Medicine LASSITER H. S., MARIETTA -- NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA SCHOLARSHIP

Sabrina Kaplan MARIETTA 30068 Probable career field: Psychology WALTON H. S., MARIETTA -- NATIONAL MERIT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Vera Lu MARIETTA 30062 Probable career field: Pediatrics WALTON H. S., MARIETTA -- NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA SCHOLARSHIP

Aurian O. Naderi MARIETTA 30067 Probable career field: Neurosurgery WALTON H. S., MARIETTA -- NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS SCHOLARSHIP

Noah P. Platt MARIETTA 30068 Probable career field: Biology WHEELER H. S., MARIETTA -- NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA SCHOLARSHIP

Rachel E. Welch POWDER SPRINGS 30127 Probable career field: Veterinary Medicine MOUNT PARAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, KENNESAW -- NATIONAL MERIT LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Karan A. Pol SMYRNA 30080 Probable career field: Economics CAMPBELL H. S., SMYRNA -- NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA SCHOLARSHIP

Read more: See the master list of Georgia's National Merit Scholarship winners

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.

Read more: Six Atlanta students named National Merit Scholars

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

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