6 Silver Spring Students Win College-Sponsored National Merit Awards

SILVER SPRING, MD — Just over 2,600 high school seniors were awarded college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships, including 6 in Silver Spring high schools.

Another batch of college-sponsored winners will be announced in July as well.

"This year, 155 higher education institutions are underwriting Merit Scholarship awards through the National Merit Scholarship Program," the National Merit Scholarship Corporation said in a news release. "Sponsor colleges and universities include 82 private and 73 public institutions located in 42 states and the District of Columbia."

These scholarships range from $500 t0 $2,000, and are provided annually for up to four years of undergraduate education.

Here are the winners from high schools in Silver Spring:

• Samuel S. Chen, Montgomery Blair High School, attending the University of Maryland, plans to study materials engineering
• Konchok Shonu, Montgomery Blair High School, attending the University of Maryland, undecided major
• Steven Su, Montgomery Blair High School, attending the University of Maryland, plans to study computer science
• Hyunku C. Kim, Jr., Montgomery Blair High School, attending the University of Maryland, plans to study medicine
• Liam E. Volz, Montgomery Blair High School, attending Fordham University, plans to study business
• Benjamin M. Westgard, Montgomery Blair High School, attending the University of Maryland, plans to study computer science

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 in April, and $2,500 scholarships were awarded in May.

See More:

• 6 Silver Spring Students Awarded $2,500 National Merit Scholarships
• 4 Silver Spring Students Awarded Corporate National Merit Scholarships