9 Bethesda Students Awarded $2,500 National Merit Scholarships

BETHESDA, MD — Of more than 15,000 student finalists in the National Merit Scholarship's $2,500 competition, 2,500 were selected. Among those students were nine who attend high school in Bethesda.

"National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies," the National Merit Scholarship Corporation said. "The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors."

Here are the students from Bethesda who received a scholarship:

• Joseph A. Aron, plans to study surgical medicine, attends Walt Whitman High School
• Iman Ilias, plans to study diplomatic service, attends Walt Whitman High School
• Felix J. Leonhardt, plans to study international relations, attends Walt Whitman High School
• Sophia E. Meytin, plans to study science and do research, attends Walter Johnson High School
• Ester Schneiderova, plans to study materials engineering, attends Holton-Arms School
• Joey G. Giordano, plans to study materials engineering, attends Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
• Grace Cavanagh Wilkins, plans to study economics, attends Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
• Isabella M. Terhune, plans to study environmental engineering, attends Holton-Arms School
• Andrew P. Berube, plans to study business, attends Walter Johnson High School

High school juniors are entered into the National Merit contest by taking the PSAT. In September, 16,000 semifinalists were chosen and were asked to complete an application with included an essay and information about leadership and extracurricular activities, submit proof of their academic record, get an endorsement from a school official and earn a top ACT or SAT score.

Winners of the corporate scholarship competition were announced last month, and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation will announce college-sponsored winners in June and July.